Xavier Kelly to Clemson: Tigers Land 4-Star DE Prospect

Clemson landed another big-time recruit Friday, as defensive end Xavier Kelly committed to play for the Tigers starting in 2016.  

According to Ken Corbitt of the Topeka Capital-Journal, the Wichita, Kansas, native will don orange and white after considering several top-flight schools.

Per 247Sports, the 6'5", 255-pound lineman is a 4-star prospect who rates as the No. 8 weak-side defensive end and the No. 103 overall recruit in his class as well as the top player coming out of the state of Kansas.

Kelly recently tweeted his final eight college choices, and the list was littered with many of the best football programs in the nation:

While each school likely had its merits, Kelly was extremely positive about Clemson after a recent visit. According to Phil Kornblut of the State, Tigers players and commits assured Kelly that playing in Clemson, South Carolina, would be a great experience:

"

They were just telling me nothing but great things about Clemson and giving me a lot of good reasons why I should go there. They really need me and I'm in a perfect position to come at this time. I love everything about Clemson. It's a family environment and they are all about academics. They really care about their players outside of football.

"

When it came time for Kelly to make his decision, the virtues he described with regard to Clemson ultimately won out over the other options.

With quarterback Jameis Winston having left Florida State for the NFL, Clemson may very well be the team to beat in the ACC this season and beyond.

Provided Kelly develops into the type of pass-rusher most expect him to become, the Tigers should be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot moving forward.

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