Rahshaun Smith Reveals Top 3: Which School Is Best Fit for 4-Star LB?

The race to land 4-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith will conclude on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America Game.

One thing that is certain is that the 6’3”, 239-pound Smith will be a Tiger at the next level, as he will decide between Auburn, Clemson and LSU. 

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— Humble & Hungry 〽️ (@Nextlevel_shaq) December 20, 2015"

As an added bonus, whichever program lands Smith will have the benefit of getting him on campus in January as an early enrollee. 

Will Smith—who committed to Clemson in the spring before reopening his recruitment in August—head to the SEC or will he once again choose to play for head coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers?

Furthermore, which school represents the best fit for Smith at the next level? 

With playing time one of the main factors he's considering, his decision will be a tough one.

That's because another common thread between each of Smith’s three finalists is that they feature all upperclassmen among their starters at linebacker—which illustrates their need to add a player of his caliber.

However, considering Auburn’s current defensive coordinator vacancy, it’s hard to imagine Smith electing to head to the Plains. After all, coaching turnover is the same reason he eliminated his home-state school—Maryland.

In the aftermath of his LSU visit for its win over Florida, all signs seemed to be pointing toward Smith ending up in Baton Rouge. 

“It was a great visit. It was my first time in Baton Rouge,” Smith told Bleacher Report about that trip. “I had a great time. I ate some really good food. The environment at the game was second to none. It was off the chain. It was a great game. They got some of the best fans in the country. Their business school, which is where I want to study, is definitely good. We got to take a tour and speak with some of the professors and see the classrooms. It was definitely a great visit.”

While LSU had the momentum, and prep teammate and 5-star corner Saivion Smith—who will be an early enrollee at LSU—in his ear, the team that has been on the nation’s No. 2 inside linebacker the longest has been Clemson. 

Even after his decommitment, Smith has made multiple trips to Clemson.

As Ryan Bartow of 247Sports detailed, Smith has a strong bond with former Tigers star linebacker and current Saints defender Stephone Anthony.

"Nothing has changed. I knew what they are doing now they were going to do before I committed the first time," Smith told Bartow.

"Me and Stephone Anthony are real tight. Of anyone in college football or the NFL right now that I'm closest to it's probably him. When he committed he said 'Clemson's coming' and that's something I never forget. Clemson was coming when he was there and they've seen the finishing the line. They are there now." 

Ironically, Smith’s strengths are similar to the traits that helped Anthony star at Clemson before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick.

Considering Clemson’s need at the position and Smith’s fit in defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ scheme, his best option for success at the next level is to cast his lot with the school he initially committed to.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani