Phil Mafah to Clemson: "I have found my future home"
Phil Mafah camped at Clemson for three days in June, then a little over a month later, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers offered on July 29.
It did not take long for the four-star running back out of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson to decide he wanted to attend Clemson University.
The offer was presented on a Monday, and by Wednesday July 31, a decision had been made.
Before announcing the decision publicly, the 2021 prospect and his family had to meet with Swinney face-to-face to make it all official. That has happened and Mafah is a Tiger.
"It was a very easy decision for me," said Mafah. "I had been thinking about Clemson like I already had the offer even though I didn't have it yet. I took a long look at them before I had the offer, I compared them to other schools I was considering, and it was really an easy decision.
"The coaches, the environment, the location, how people care there and how I fit in there is really what separated Clemson from the others."
Auburn and Georgia were two other schools high on Mafah's list before the decision was made late in July.
He had been to a game at Clemson before, but the three day camp experience really set the Tigers apart.
"The coaches talked to me a lot at camp, they liked me a lot that week and I loved it up there. I have been three three or four times now and I have a great feel for things there.
"It is very friendly at Clemson. It is very authentic, everyone there is family, the people at Clemson are very supportive. I love the culture, everyone pulls for each other, and after I got the offer, I knew I was going to Clemson.
"Being there for camp, and around the people so much, showed me what Clemson is really about. It is different up there. The people, the culture, the support — all that makes Clemson special."
So many recruits commit, take visits to other schools and continue to evaluate their options, but Mafah, despite being young, and only a junior in high school does not look like he will be one of those.
"My commitment to Clemson means I am done with recruiting," said Mafah. "I have found my future home. This is a big weight off my shoulders. The recruiting process was fun, but now that I found where I want to go, I am done with it.
"I know where I want to go, and that is Clemson, so I am only looking at them moving forward. The recruiting process is over for me."