One of the last recruits to get in to visit Clemson in March before the pandemic closed off all college campuses to recruiting visits was WR Troy Stellato of Jacksonville. He was in to watch a spring practice on March 7th. He also took in a game at Death Valley last season. Stellato has his decision down to Clemson and Ohio State and is now going thru the tedious process of deciding between the two national powers.
“I’m the closest with those two schools, mainly my position coaches,” Stellato said. “Coach (Tyler) Grisham and I built a really good relationship. And I love Coach (Dabo) Swinney, he’s the best. I think he’s the best coach in the game right now. And I love Coach (Ryan) Day, I love what he did with the program this year at Ohio State. And Coach (Brian) Hartline, I’m really close with him. So, relationships are a huge thing. And the fits at both schools are really good. At the receiver position at Clemson, I feel like I can come in early and fill a need at the Y position. And Ohio State, I know they’re loaded at the position, but I love what Coach Hartline is doing over there.”
Jeff Scott offered Stellato when he was the receivers coach at Clemson. When he departed for the head coaching job at USF, Grisham replaced him and assumed point man duties for the Tigers on Stellato.
“Coach Grisham was with me a lot on the first visit, so that’s when the relationship started building,” Stellato said. “Coach Grisham reached out to me and told me I was his guy and I was a priority. When he did that, it really showed love because he literally reached out right when he got the job. I really appreciated that. And the last visit for the junior day, I spent a lot of time with him. He broke down some things for me and it really boosted my point of view on the situation with Clemson. I got to watch a little bit of spring practice and it really looked like he knows what he’s talking about and seems like the players really respect him.”
Stellato faces a difficult decision. He said he’s seen enough of Clemson off his two visits there, so there’s no need for a return trip. But he might go back to Columbus one more time for a final look at the Buckeyes once the dead period is lifted.
“They are two different schools,” he said. “One is in the city in Columbus, and one is a college town in Clemson. The atmosphere is different. The schools are a little different but I feel the programs are pretty similar. Where ever I feel like I’m the most at home. I love both places, and I’m really torn right now. Each and every day I’m looking at different things. Summertime was always the aiming point for committing. I’m still aiming for summer, but it may extend out a little further. Probably summertime or sometime in August or September. I’m still deciding on officials and what I may do with that. I wanted to go into my senior season committed and focus on my last year of high school football. I have got to be 1000 percent sure when I commit. I don’t want to do the whole backing out and de-committing thing. Whenever that time is, I’ll know.”
Stellato is being recruited by Clemson as a slot receiver, which he played in high school for the first time last season. He had 42 catches for 727 yards and 9 touchdowns.
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