CLEMSON — Jay Schell is about as familiar with Clemson as one can be.

The 2028 LB (Rabun Gap, GA) grew up a fan of the program, seeing as his father, Matt Schell, was a quarterback on the team during the Tommy Bowden years. He attended many games when he was a youngster, and now that he is being recruited by Clemson, the whole experience is kind of surreal.

Schell was on hand for the Tigers’ season opener and then returned on Saturday for the 24-10 win over Florida State.

“It was great,” Schell said. “As soon as we walked in, we got to talk to Coach Boulware and Coach Thomas Allen. I got to go up to the hill when they ran down, and that was awesome. I have never gotten to do that before. It was cool after watching that all the years growing up. Actually being up there, it was awesome.”

Schell also visited back in the spring and worked out at camp during the summer. Those visits have given him a chance to really bond with assistant Thomas Allen, the son of defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

“He is very smart,” Schell said. “I was fortunate enough to come last spring and see him work with the guys. I worked with him at camp as well. He is a great coach. You can definitely tell he knows what he is doing. He played the game and has been around it his whole life. He coached me hands-on at camp and gave me a lot of things to work on.”

Seeing Clemson fail to meet the lofty preseason expectations that were in place has not impacted how Schell views the program. After his visit this weekend, he came away even more impressed, seeing as the team is still fully bought in, despite the struggles.

“That is something they talked about,” Schell said. “They had really high expectations this season. It hasn’t turned out how they planned it would to this point, but I was very impressed with their mentality. They just said, ‘Listen guys, we are not where we want to be, but let’s look forward and at what’s up next.’ I was very impressed by that. That win against FSU showed me what Clemson football is. I know some of the games haven’t turned out the way we wanted, but I think the positivity and mindset to be the best they can be really impressed me.”

As a sophomore, Schell has been extremely disruptive, and schools have certainly taken notice. He’s racked up 65 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound recruit already holds offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, among others.

After torturing opposing offenses on Friday nights, Schell has spent his Saturdays on the road. Georgia, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Tennessee have all gotten game-day visits this season. He is planning to be back in Athens this weekend when the Bulldogs host Texas and then hit Oklahoma after that.

That means both Georgia and Clemson will have both received two game-day visits this season.

“I am really enjoying it,” Schell said. “I know mine is just getting started, but growing up, this was everything I dreamed about. I am really trying to enjoy the process.”

Don’t expect any quick decisions, though. Schell is taking his time and enjoying the process. Clemson might not start handing out offers to players in his class until the summer, but Schell doesn’t mind being patient.

One of his dreams has been to have a shot at following in his father’s footsteps, and he’s got no problem with having to earn that opportunity. Even if it means having to wait a little longer for the offer.

“It definitely has been,” Schell said. “I grew up going to games, watching them. We have my dad’s jersey hanging up in the house. So Clemson has definitely always been one of my dream schools. That has further made me enjoy going on the visits. It’s just been cool knowing my dad has done the same things. My dad went on visits and played at Clemson, and now I am having the opportunity to be recruited by them.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright