SEABROOK – Anthony Pinckney took a chance when he packed a pair of Clemson hats for his son’s college commitment.

That’s right. Nyles Pinckney wouldn’t even tell his dad if it was going to be Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia or Georgia Tech.

“My wife and I have been praying about it. I put (Clemson hats) in a bag. I put it under the chair. When he pulled that hat, we were so relieved. That’s what we wanted all the time. We love Clemson,” Anthony told TheClemsonInsider on Friday, after his son’s announcement at Whale Branch Early College High School.

In came a wave of relief.

“It’s like 100,000 pounds off our shoulders,” Anthony said.

His wife, Ramona, likes the environment in Tigertown.

“We’ve been there many times and the family values and atmosphere there — we just know when he goes there, they’ll make him a better person, not just a better football player,” she said. “So it’s just the place for him, the fit for him.”

Area recruiter Tony Elliott has been in touch with the Pinckney family since Nyles’ freshman year.

“And that’s one of the things that we really liked, too, was getting to know him,” Ramona said.

Dad also believes Clemson was the right fit.

“Up in Clemson, Nyles is coming from a little, small town like Beaufort, going up there, it’s like he’s a small town kid,” Anthony said. “Coach (Dabo) Swinney is sweet, great. Coach Elliott, it’s like family. That’s what he’s used to, a family atmosphere.”

Faith played a big part.

“We’re Christians. That’s a Christian environment. We’re just really pleased. We just know that’s the place for him to be,” Ramona said.

Nyles, who has two older sisters, is scheduled to graduate in December.

“He was always on the honor roll since fifth or sixth grade, so when he came and looked at it, he said it would be a great advantage,” Anthony said. “For whatever college he goes to, he can start early, get into academics and get on top of that. That’s the most important thing.”