Grenada (Miss.) four-star safety C.J. Avery announced his final five schools Friday, with Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, Mississippi and Mississippi State making the cut.

What helped Clemson crack his short list?

“Clemson is a high-profile, prestigious university,” Avery told The Clemson Insider. “When I got there, I loved coach Dabo (Swinney), and it was great.”

Avery took some time to discuss his other favorites, as well.

Mississippi: “It was good being around the coaches and players. I’m really cool with a lot of them.”

Mississippi State: “Mississippi State is the same way. I feel at home, and they make me feel welcome.”

Louisville: “Being at Louisville, it’s an uprising program, and the program has a lot of success.”

Florida State: “Florida State, they just put a lot of DBs in the NFL, so that’s another thing.”

Avery’s next trip to Clemson will be an official visit.

“That’ll be my next visit,” Avery said. “I don’t know when that will be, but it will probably be one of the big games.”

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder is capable of playing both safety and corner, but said Clemson is only looking at him as a safety.

“They want me being a solid safety, probably a strong safety,” he said.

The timeframe for Avery’s commitment decision remains the same.

“Probably after my senior season,” Avery said. “I’m trying to focus on winning a state championship.”

In early July, Avery told TCI that comfort level, player development and the opportunity for early playing time will be important factors in his decision.

As a junior in 2015, Avery accumulated 69 total tackles, five tackles for loss and five interceptions.