While Jayden Aparicio-Bailey just went public with a commitment to Clemson on Saturday, the fact is, he made his decision much earlier.

The four-star defensive back, out of Prattville High School (AL), began the summer planning to take official visits to Clemson, Georgia, Auburn and South Carolina. He began his slate by attending the Tigers’ big official visit weekend, May 29-31. The following weekend, he headed to Athens. After those two visits, he knew the decision was coming down to Clemson and Georgia and canceled his two remaining official visits.

However, what many may not know is that Aparicio-Bailey actually made the decision coming off that visit to Athens, and he informed cornerbacks coach Mike Reed that he was indeed headed to Clemson. The following weekend, he quietly made the trek back to Clemson to inform Dabo Swinney and the rest of the staff face-to-face. That weekend just so happened to coincide with the Tigers’ second, much smaller official visit gathering, June 12-14.

“I told coach Reed a few days after my Georgia official visit,” Aparicio-Bailey told The Clemson Insider. “Then I went, and I told them a couple of days later in person. Talking to coach Swinney, he was fired up about my commitment.”

After a long, grueling process, Aparicio-Bailey realized there were quite a few things that attracted him to Clemson. The family-like culture in place, along with the opportunity to play for Reed, ended up being two of the biggest things that separated the Tigers from the rest of the pack, including the other finalist, Georgia.

“I would say the family atmosphere and the relationship I have with coach Reed,” Aparicio-Bailey added. “Then the development aspect of their defense.”

Actually, being able to learn under Reed’s tutelage ended up playing a major role.

“Being able to get coached by Mike Reed played a big factor,” Aparicio-Bailey said. “He has a track record of developing defensive backs. Our relationship is very great.”

While Aparicio-Bailey and Reed have developed quite the bond throughout the process, there’s also a player currently on the roster that pitched in on the recruiting efforts. That player is current cornerback Ashton Hampton, who’s gotten involved in the recruitment of multiple defensive backs who are currently committed to the Tigers.

“Ashton definitely played a role in my commitment. Just that relationship we built,” Aparicio-Bailey said. “Him telling me the real of the experience he has had at Clemson.”

The recruiting services list the 6-foot-2 defensive back as a safety, but Clemson targeted him as a corner, possibly as the heir-apparent to Hampton. Rivals ranks him No. 117 overall and No. 10 among all safeties in the class.

At the same time, Aparicio-Bailey is confident in his ability to play multiple spots on the backend of Tom Allen’s defense, which makes him extremely valuable. He also plans to enroll early in an effort to make an immediate impact.

“I see myself as a boundary corner with the versatility of being able to be moved around,” Aparicio-Bailey said. “Clemson fans are getting a dog.”

Photo courtesy of Jayden Aparicio-Bailey on Instagram