Clemson commit and Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake five-star cornerback A.J. Terrell was back on campus over the weekend for his official visit, as were Clemson’s eight other committed non-early enrollees.
For the commits, whose visits coincided with Clemson’s national championship parade and celebration, the weekend was one they won’t forget.
“It was good. Got to spend time with the commits, my brothers in arms,” Terrell said in an interview with The Clemson Insider. “We had a good time going out with our hosts, seeing what the campus life is like, and we enjoyed everything football-wise, all the events they had at the parade and all that stuff.”
After arriving on campus Friday, Terrell and his fellow pledges watched Saturday’s parade on the rooftop of a building on College Avenue before experiencing the celebration inside Death Valley up close from the field. Afterward, they attended the Clemson men’s basketball game against Virginia in Littlejohn, toured the new football facility and sat in on the team’s national championship banquet in the indoor practice facility.
The commits also had an opportunity to take pictures with Dabo Swinney and the national championship trophy, what they hope to help the Tigers earn again during their time at Clemson.
“It was real exciting because Deshaun (Watson) and all of them left some big shoes for us to come in and pick up where they left off,” Terrell said. “We just have to go in there and handle our business like they did and keep the tradition running.”
Terrell, who committed to Clemson on Aug. 19, is one of the most highly regarded players in the country. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder who was named the 7A Player of the Year in Georgia as a senior this season is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 10 prospect nationally, the nation’s No. 2 corner and the No. 2 prospect in Georgia.
Terrell talked a lot with Swinney and defensive backs coach Mike Reed over the weekend about his future and just Clemson in general.
“When I went in coach Reed’s office, we just looked at a couple DB drills for when I get up there,” Terrell said. “I talked to coach Dabo, and we really just talked about Clemson. Not even just about football. Just talked about Clemson and other things.”
Terrell hopes to play right away and contribute in some capacity as a true freshman next season. Based on what he has heard, he will have a chance to do that.
“They talked about that,” Terrell said. “Special teams and getting some reps on the field.”
Terrell chose Clemson over 20-plus other scholarship offers, including ones from finalists Florida and South Carolina.
When National Signing Day rolls around on Feb. 1, Terrell will sign on the dotted line and officially become a Clemson Tiger.
It’s a moment he has always dreamed about, and he can’t wait to start a new chapter in his life at Clemson.
“It’s going to be one of the biggest moments of my life,” Terrell said. “So, it’s really going to be memorable to sign the paper and officially be called a Tiger and represent the university.”
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