Clemson still leads for Rivals250 DB

Rivals250 safety Trae Elston of Oxford (Ala.) has added a couple new schools to his list of favorites, but one thing hasn't changed.

Clemson is still the team on top.

"I'm going to keep that school No. 1 until something else changes my mind," Elston said. "I like Howard's Rock and the tradition they have. I like the stadium. I like the campus, even though it's in the middle of nowhere. That's the only negative thing about it. That and the bugs. They've got very good academics in sports management, and I'm also keeping that in mind."

After Clemson, Elston likes the following programs in order: LSU, Miami, Alabama, Oregon and Auburn. Tennessee, which was part of his top five recently, no longer is. But Elston said the Vols are still being seriously considered.

According to the 6-foot, 183-pounder, Miami and Alabama are new to the mix.

"Miami came to a few practices in the spring," Elston sad. "[Assistant] Micheal Barrow is recruiting me. I call him all the time. I'm starting to like what he's got to say. I'm going to visit there in July. With Alabama, I went down there for a visit. I thought Alabama really didn't need DBs. They have a lot. But I talked to Coach [Nick] Saban and he said he wants to recruit me as an athlete. They're recruiting me as a DB and receiver."

Of his No. 2 team, LSU, Elston said, "I haven't visited yet, but I know a lot about them. I talk to [assistant] Ron Cooper a lot. He tells me a lot about the school. I call him a lot. That's probably going to be one of my officials."

Next up for Elston is a trip to Oregon for "The Opening" football camp in early July. While there, he plans to pay the Ducks a visit. Thus far, Alabama is the only school he has been to this summer.

When might a final decision come?

"I'm going to wait until signing day," Elston said.

Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kneebs01@aol.com. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithRIVALS.