4-star WR Jeremiah McClellan is down to 12 schools

St. Louis (Mo.) Christian Brothers College four-star receiver Jeremiah McClellan has been across the country as a recruit over the past year. He has criss-crossed time zones and taken in visits at more than a dozen college programs. Now he’s ready to begin focusing in on a smaller list of top schools.

From 45 offers, McClellan named his top 12 programs on Monday, a list that includes Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Notre Dame, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Florida.

“I just felt like it was the right time to knock some schools off because I want to commit before my season,” he told On3. “So I’m going to start narrowing things down and taking schools seriously — the ones I really want to go to and am really considering. Things started to change just a little bit. I wanted to commit during the season, but I don’t think that’s going to happen anymore. Different schools fill up fast, so I want to make sure I have the school I want to go to.”

These schools, he added, are the ones he hears from the most and offer him the best opportunity to make it to the NFL.

“I really stay in communication with those schools and enjoy those schools,” he said. “That’s the reason why they made the list. Those are the schools where I feel like I can really go to and make a big impact and get developed for the league.”

Three schools will definitely receive official visits

McClellan said that while no dates have been locked in, three schools are certain to get official visits from him: LSU, Ohio State, and Tennessee. He broke down what each one has done so far to stand out.

LSU: “I loved it when I was down there. And actually I talked to Coach Hankton for a while when I was visiting, just him and Coach Steeples, and the vibe down there, I really like that. I want to come back there for another visit and an OV, too.”

Ohio State: “That right there is Wide Receiver U. It’s just different, so I definitely want to get back up there. I talked a lot to Coach Hartline and Coach Day when I was there, and I loved it.”

Tennessee: “I just like how much Tennessee wants me, I talk to Coach Pope a lot, and Jalin Hyatt and Nico Iamaleava and them. Even the quarterbacks want me to go up there so they have targets to throw to, and I really like that.”

A few more unofficials in mind

McClellan also has plans to see some of the schools on his list he hasn’t already been to. Thus far, he’s been at Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Mizzou, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and LSU.

With a little bit of time left this spring, he’s hoping to see Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Florida and Miami.

“I think I want to just starting visiting those schools more, and I’m probably going to narrow it down again and then probably commit,” he said.

He doesn’t have any dates for those set but does think he’ll be at Oregon on April 29 for the Ducks’ spring game.

As for a specific decision date, he doesn’t have one. But he does know what it is about a school that will make him commit there.

“I would probably say just talking it over with my family and making sure it’s right spot for me,” he said. “Not necessarily the location, but I have to enjoy it for myself and make sure it suits me for the next four years of my life.”