By Hale McGranahan.

After a mix up in communication, 2016 defensive end Tony Clayton found out that he’d already had an offer from Clemson.

The Dooly County High School (Vienna, Georgia) three-star got the word when he was speaking with Clemson defenisve ends coach Marion Hobby earlier this week.

“I was like, wow, this is crazy. I just now found out, but I been had the offer,” Clayton said, during a recent interview with TheClemsonInsider.

The offer “means a lot” to Clayton, who’s listed by 247 as the No. 36 weak-side defensive end in the class of 2016.

“My idol played on that team, Vic Beasley, he’s someone I look up to. Then, when I got the offer, I couldn’t believe it at first,” Clayton said. “Once I realized it, I was like, ‘Man, the Clemson Tigers. That’s something big here.'”

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound prospect also has offers from Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Miami, Notre Dame and Tennessee.

In addition to the Clemson trip he’s planning to take in June, Clayton also hopes to visit Ole Miss. In 2015, Clayton has visited Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

“My top five, it varies, because I’ve been hearing from all these colleges,” he said. “So, if I said a top five now, it will change about a week later or something. So I don’t really have a top five.”

A number of factors will be considered by Clayton as he moves through the process.

“Just the academic program, the athletic program, their graduation rates, the environment and the athletic association, how that will benefit me when I go to college,” he said. “I’m going there to get my degree, not just football.”

As a junior, Clayton had 72 tackles and 17 sacks.