4-Star DL Stephiylan Green commits to Clemson over Alabama and Ohio State

Rome (Ga.) defensive lineman Stephiylan Green has committed to Clemson.

Early in the spring Alabama was the favorite, with Ohio State up there with the Crimson Tide. After visiting Clemson in March, the Tigers put themselves right in the thick of the race.

Over the next couple of months, Clemson chopped away making the No. 110 prospect in the On300 feel like a priority. The mother was in favor of Dabo Swinney’s program and Clemson closed with an official visit earlier this month.

“I made my decision on the official visit (June 3-5), then I committed to Clemson on June 7,” Green told On3. “Early on, I wasn’t even thinking about Clemson. As soon as coach Eason and I started talking, I took an interest in them, then after the official visit, I knew it.”

The official visit set it off for Clemson. He had a high interest in the ACC program late in May, but what sealed the deal was the people he was around that first weekend in June.

“Me and a lot of the other recruits on that visit bonded on that official visit. We talked a lot, a lot of us made our decisions, and we have a great class coming together.

“The environment at Clemson is great. It is one big family. The coaches make it feel like a family. Then the recruits that are coming in, in this class are big for me too.

“It is just the people I will be there with. They are the people I want to be around.”

Green felt the love from Clemson

As Green entered spring practice, it was a tight race between the Crimson Tide, Tigers, and Buckeyes. In May, Clemson made its move.

“They were in contact with me and my mom every day,” Green said. “In March, when me and my family visited Clemson, my mom wanted to commit right then. She fell in love with Clemson and the family atmosphere there.

“It took me some time to feel that way though. Early on, it was Ohio State, then it was Alabama on top, but in the spring, I just felt the love from Clemson. They showed me I was very important to them and that made a big impact.”

The attention Green received from Clemson showed him what he meant to the Tigers. They were there for spring practice, they were calling and texting him and his family, and in the end, that played a role in his decision.

“I really felt the love. Clemson made it known to me and my family that they wanted me. They stayed on me every day. They recruited me harder than any other school.

“That went a long way for me. The way they recruited me really made me feel wanted.”

Coach Eason played a crucial role in Green’s commitment

Nick Eason played at Clemson. He knows what it means to be a Tiger. Swinney brought Eason in from Auburn in the off-season and that was a big hire. Without that move, Clemson may not have picked up this commitment.

“Coach Eason made a big impact on my commitment,” Green said. “The interest in Clemson wasn’t there until me and coach Eason started talking. Once I got to know him and learned about him, my interest in Clemson was a lot higher.

“He is a great coach, he knows me, and I know he cares about me. I am putting all of my trust in coach Eason and I know he can develop me and make me better. He wants the best for me and coach Eason and I just have that bond.”

Green has confidence in this recruiting class

Since that first weekend in June, after Green’s commitment, Clemson has landed commitments from 11 different prospects. In the On3 Team Rankings, Clemson has the No. 6 class in the country.

Green feels like this class will win it all.

“This Clemson class is about to do big things,” Green said. “Big-time recruits are coming in this class. I talk to AJ Hoffler, Vic Burley, and others, so I know we are about ut to do big things.

“We all talk a lot, we have more coming, and this group is going to win a natty (national championship) at Clemson.

“I guarantee, if we stick together, and things go as planned, we are going to win a natty together. This class is special and there are more guys coming.”