When the Clemson coaches began to extend class of 2023 offers back on June 1st, one of the first sent out by defensive line coach Todd Bates was to 4-star defensive end Kelby Collins of Gardendale, AL. Hence, Collins made sure that Clemson was the first stop on his summer camp tour.
Collins worked out at head coach Dabo Swinney’s high school camp recently and was one of the most impressive defensive line prospects. He said a Clemson offer was one on which he was waiting.
“It felt good to get that offer,” Collins noted of the attention from Clemson. “I know that it takes a long time so it felt good to finally get it. Coach Todd Bates is the one that extended the offer to me. We have a great relationship and we talk a lot. He gives advice and things like that. He also has a lot of cool stuff that he does with the relationship.”
Collins got a close-up tour of the Clemson facilities, one-on-one time with Bates and a special conversation with the head coach.
“Everything felt just like family up there,” Collins said. “It just felt good to finally get up there and talk to all of the coaches and Dabo. He is a good coach. We had a good real talk. Me and my family spent time talking to him and he seemed like a really good person to talk to.”
The facilities were also a hit.
“I liked everything. The bowling alley was really cool,” the 6’5″ defensive end relayed. “They had a nice game room and I really like the recovery area.”
He also appreciated getting an opportunity to showcase his skills for the Clemson staff.
“I enjoyed the coaching part of it,” he said. “I was coached by Coach Bates and all of the players and other coaches that were out there. I really enjoyed working out and talking to the coaches.”
Already with scholarship offers from nearly two dozen programs, including USC, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M, Collins is in the midst of a busy month. He took in the sights at Georgia last weekend and plans to visit Florida on June 25th. He also has been to Alabama.
However, the Tigers made a good impression and will probably get a return visit when the season gets underway.
“I think I will come back to visit for a game in the fall. I am looking forward to getting back up there,” Collins said.
