Simote Katoanga’s next visit to Clemson will be a big one.

The 4-star DE (JSerra, San Juan Capistrano, CA) has visited twice already, with the last one coming for the Tigers’ Homecoming win over Stanford in October. It was that visit when Katoanga picked up his offer.

The blue-chip talent plans to return for the Elite Retreat on March 8 and this is the visit that might determine whether the Tigers have staying power when it comes to his recruitment.

“It’s going to be an important visit,” Katoanga told The Clemson Insider. “I am going to be looking for how the players over there are, how the coaches are. If we watch film, watching for development and the coaches coaching.”

Living on the other side of the country in California, Katoanga isn’t all that well-versed in the Clemson program. However, he is fully aware of the Tigers’ propensity for developing defensive linemen.

“I’m not going to lie, probably not that familiar,” Katoanga added. “I did get to know a little bit more about Clemson through T.J. Parker. Just watching him develop. Also watching Peter Woods and all the other people on their defensive line. That helped me get to know more about Clemson.”

Another thing that attracts Katoanga is Dabo Swinney’s hiring of Tom Allen as the new defensive coordinator. Allen was hired away from Penn State in January after his defense helped guide the Nittany Lions into the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff.

“I think that is a great hire,” he said. “Coming from Penn State and watching them in the playoff and watching that defense kind of dominate, that tells you all about coach Allen.”

While playing in Allen’s scheme is intriguing, it is defensive ends coach Chris Rumph with whom Katoanga has had the most contact over the past few months. The relationship between the two continues to grow with each passing week.

“I think he is a great coach,” Katoanga said. “Just watching T. J. Parker and Peter Woods develop, both were freshmen All-Americans. Then this past year they are still dominating the ACC. Watching them grow really speaks to coach Rumph. He is also a great person who loves to have fun.”

Katoanga is one of the most highly sought-after defensive ends in the class. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound recruit has more than 30 offers, with many of the most notable programs in the country having offered. That includes Georgia, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, Oregon and Ohio State, to name a few.

Southern Cal is thought to be the school leading the charge heading into the spring. At the same time, Katoanag isn’t looking to make a decision until after summer officials.

That leaves plenty of time for Clemson to make a move, as Katoanga is also hoping to attend the Tigers’ big official visit weekend May 30 to June 1.

“Oh yeah, for sure. Definitely,” Katoanga said. “They are definitely one of my top three schools.”