Clemson lands commitment from Wichita’s Xavier Kelly

Clemson Friday went 1-1 against SEC teams for two of its top prospects picking up a commitment from DE Xavier Kelly (6-5 248) of Wichita but losing out on OL Bryce Mathews of Brentwood, TN. Kelly picked the Tigers over Georgia while Mathews opted for Ole Miss over Clemson and Tennessee.

Kelly, who once was a Kansas State commitment, also had Alabama, Florida State, and Michigan on his short list. He first visited Clemson in May and returned for the All-In Cookout last Friday. On both visits Kelly found the comfort level he was seeking as well as a defense in need of his skills.

“They really need me and I’m in a perfect position to come at this time," Kelly said. "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. They have a very stable coaching staff and they’ve never offered a JUCO player so I would never have to worry about a JUCO player coming in and replacing me. And they are in the ACC, one of the higher conferences. And they develop a lot of defensive linemen too.”

Kelly said one thing he knows he can bring to the table at Clemson is a strong pass rush.

"My strength is rushing the passer. The coaches like my size and my speed." In fact, some schools talked to him about playing outside linebacker but in Clemson's 4-3 he expects to be a speed rusher off the edge with his hand on the ground.

Kelly becomes the 11th new commitment for the 2016 class which actually numbers 13 by including 2015 carryovers Amir Trapp and Brian Dawkins Jr. He's also the first defensive lineman to join the class.

Mathews also made two visits to Clemson and was there last Friday as well. He said it was a close between the Tigers, Rebels and Vols in his final decision making process.

"It was a really tough decision," he said. "Definitely the hardest I've ever had to make. Clemson is such a great university and they're obviously on the rise. Coach Swinney is doing a great job and is building a great program in the right way. Coach Caldwell is great also."

Clemson does have two offensive linemen committed in Chandler Reeves and Sean Pollard.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 2:28 PM.