By Hale McGranahan.

BUFORD, Ga. – T.J. Chase is planning to be a Clemson student at this time next year.

The four-star wide receiver commitment from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida told TheClemsonInsider on Sunday that he plans to be a mid-year enrolled freshman.

“Right now, I’m just focused on my grades. They’re good right now. Depending on what I’m doing right now, I’m going to graduate early and get up to Clemson early,” Chase said.

For Chase, the sooner he gets there, the better.

“If I can go ahead and go through the academic process, get on the practice field and get in the playbook early,” Chase said.

Ranked by Rivals as the No. 14 wide receiver in the class of 2016, Chase is excited about following in the footsteps of fellow Sunshine State native Sammy Watkins.

“(Watkins) is pretty close to where I’m from,” Chase said. “For him to go up there and do his thing then actually go to the league, that’s good to see.”

At Clemson, Chase will work under Jeff Scott, the same wide receivers coach who oversaw the development of Watkins and other NFL standouts like DeAndre Hopkins and Martavis Bryant.

“(Scott’s) real nice. He’s real laid-back. When he gets down to business, I know this about him, he’s real serious,” Chase said. “That’s what I like about him. He always wants to get you better.”

As a junior, Chase caught 25 passes for 521 yards with five touchdowns.