Rivals 100 ATH Kyler McMichael commits to Clemson

The recruiting process ended earlier than Kyler McMichael expected it to.

The Rivals100 athlete out of Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian expected to commit at the earliest, late summer right before his senior year started, but he once even thought he would take his recruitment into the fall.

McMichael realized less than a week ago after a visit to Tennessee that there was no reason for him to delay his decision any longer.

He committed to Clemson Friday morning, but he has been leaning that way for some time now.

"I have not said much about it, but I have been high on Clemson for a while now," said McMichael. "I felt like I was not doing them right by holding off when I knew where I wanted to go, so I went ahead and committed.

"I called coach [Dabo] Swinney and coach [Brent] Venables on Wednesday to tell them about my commitment and I am happy to have it over with. I am not big on attention and all that, so I am excited about my decision."

It came down to Clemson, Alabama and Georgia in the end. When asked about who finished No. 2, McMichael said it was pretty close between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs.

The way Clemson recruited him stood out to him and the people that did the job is what won him over in the end.

"The coaches and the people at Clemson are just sincere and genuine. The culture there is like nowhere else and it is the right place for me.

"How they treated me from the beginning has been great. They showed me time and time again that Clemson is the perfect spot for me. The people and the environment is really what separated them from the other schools."

Mike Reed was the coach that recruited McMichael at first, then it moved over the Mickey Conn being the leader when he was put on the coaching staff — McMichael likes them both.

"I think both guys are great coaches, they both have done well recruiting me and I have a great relationship with both of them. I met with both of them last time I was there and they answered every question me and my dad had for them.

"They are good guys, they have taken a lot of time with me and now I am ready to play for them."

Clemson has talked with the 6-foot-1, 185 pound four star about playing both cornerback and safety in their system. The boundary corner position is where he is expects to start out his career as a Tiger at, but the chance to play some offense is still there too.

McMichael could not be happier with the feeling he has now. The news is out that he is a Tiger and he is able to relax and take deep breathes again.

"I am relieved," said McMichael to have recruiting behind him. "I was happy to let the coaches know that I am all in with them and that I am all in with the program.

"I feel I made the right decision. I talked it over with my family, I talked with some others close to me and we are all happy with my choice. Clemson is where I will spend the next four years after high school."

Do not expect Alabama, Georgia and schools like Auburn and Tennessee to go away and to give up on the No. 72-ranked prospect in the country, but it seems like his mind is pretty made up at this time.

"I am done with the recruiting process and I do not plan to visit any other schools. I am going to focus on my team, I am thinking only about my senior year now and I feel good about my commitment to Clemson."