At midnight Wednesday on his 17th birthday, Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point four-star tight end Mustapha Muhammad announced his final five schools.
Muhammad, who has more than 30 scholarship offers, named Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Texas and UCLA the finalists in his recruitment.
It was sort of like a birthday present to himself for Muhammad, who is happy to have narrowed down his recruitment to a select group.
“It feels great,” Muhammad told The Clemson Insider. “Not as much pressure as it was with my top 10 because it’s a similar process I’ve already been through. I’m confident and proud of the schools I picked.”
Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas A&M and USC missed the cut for Muhammad’s top five after making the top 10 that he released in the spring.
Why did Clemson make the cut for the nation’s No. 2 tight end?
“I included Clemson because I want to join a winning team,” Muhammad said, “and I would be utilized very well in their offense.
“I also feel as if I could play early and have a great chance at developing into a man with their family like environment.”
Muhammad (6-4, 235) received his offer from Clemson in April 2016. He visited for the first time in January when he attended the Tigers’ junior day.
Clemson continues to communicate with him regularly, according to Muhammad.
“Almost daily,” he said. “(Their message) is to come back on a visit.”
Muhammad intends to do just that. He recently set an official visit to Clemson for Nov. 11, the day the Tigers host Florida State in Death Valley.
The other four finalists will get official visits from Muhammad, as well.
He said his final decision will come down to several factors.
“Business school, environment, football team and coaching staff,” Muhammad said.
ESPN ranks Muhammad as the No. 2 player at his position and No. 47 overall prospect in the 2018 class.
As a junior last season, he recorded 29 receptions for 430 yards.
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