By Hale McGranahan.

BUFORD, Ga. – Malik Herring, who’s ranked by 247 as the top 2017 weak-side defensive end, visited Clemson for Junior Day.

The No. 50 overall prospect in the country hails from Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Georgia. Herring spoke with TheClemsonInsider before The Atlanta Opening Regional at Buford High School.

“I loved it. The new facility they’re building, they’re going to be great,” Herring said of Clemson. “I love the coaches, they treated me great. They made me feel like I was at home. The academics are great. It was great overall, really.”

Herring believes Clemson is in position to be one of the country’s elite college football programs.

“I think they’ll go to the playoff sometime soon, (maybe) not next year, but in a couple of years later,” he said. “I’m pretty sure they’ll get a championship, a bowl ring or something.”

While in Clemson, Herring spent time getting to know defensive ends coach Marion Hobby, who also serves as the four-star’s primary recruiter for the Tigers.

“He’s just a cool dude overall. I love the way he coaches. He’s a great coach. I just like the way he handles defensive ends,” Herring said.

Alabama and Georgia also had Herring on campus for visits this spring.