Five-star linebacker picks Clemson

Clemson picked up its second commitment from the IMG Academy football program when five-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) announced plans to join teammate T.J. Chase with the Tigers. Smith attends the school in Bradenton, Fla., but he lives in Baltimore.

Smith chose the Tigers from more than 40 offers. He also had Oklahoma, Maryland, Penn State and Ohio State high on his final list.

“I just knew from day one, my first day down there, it was the place for me,” Smith said. “I went down there and loved it and fell in love with the facilities and school and the coaches.”

Smith had 111 tackles last season as a defensive end and feels he has the skills to play with his hand down or standing up at linebacker.

“I play fast, I’m long and rangy, I have long arms and I play physical,” Smith said. “In some ways I’m like Jadeveon Clowney but could end up at linebacker. I can play all the linebacker spots.”

Smith is the eighth commitment for the Tigers’ 2016 class and the second linebacker.

Phil Kornblut