Mutual interest between Tigers, standout D-end
By: Gavin Oliver October 22, 2017

Class of 2019 defensive end Mataio Soli is having an outstanding junior season and drawing interest from Clemson among other power conference programs.

Through eight games, the Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County standout has produced 56 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, five quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He even has a pick-six.

“I would say (my strengths) are my speed off the line and violent hands,” Soli told The Clemson Insider.

Soli (6-4, 225) is starting to rack up offers, and more are on the way. Duke, Minnesota, Troy, USF and Wake Forest have offered this month, while schools such as Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Virginia Tech are showing interest.

Clemson defensive line coach Todd Bates has been in touch.

“I’m getting a lot of mail and edits, and they want to see me on campus,” Soli said of his interest from the Tigers.

Soli visited Georgia Tech on Saturday, and said he is likely to make his first unofficial visit to Clemson for the Florida State game on Nov. 11.

“I’m (looking forward) to a fun time and just seeing what it’s like to be a Tiger,” he said.

There is mutual interest between Clemson and Soli, who cited several things that stand out to him about the program.

“Their culture and the mindset of the team and all of its players,” he said. “Everyone is All In.”

Soli recorded 50 tackles as a sophomore last season and has more than 100 in the past two years. He recently committed to play in the 2017 Georgia Junior Bowl.