Jay Schell, a four-star linebacker and son of a former Clemson quarterback, announced on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that he has narrowed his college choices to Clemson and Oklahoma. Schell, whose father Matt played quarterback for the Tigers from 1998 to 2001, has strong family ties to the Clemson program.
Schell, a junior, grew up in Central, South Carolina, near Clemson, and attended D.W. Daniel High School as a freshman before transferring to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee High School in Georgia. Both his mother and father are Clemson alumni. His father is currently a preacher in Seneca, South Carolina.
Clemson extended an offer to Schell in June, making him one of the first two recruits offered in the 2028 class. He received the scholarship offer during a visit to Death Valley for the Dabo Swinney Football Camp, accompanied by his parents. Schell has visited the Clemson campus six times since last summer.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker is rated a consensus four-star prospect. ESPN ranks him as the No. 97 overall player, the No. 1 player at his position, and the No. 13 recruit in Georgia. Rivals ranks him as the No. 9 linebacker in the 2028 Rivals300. Schell has accumulated 47 total offers from various programs, including Texas A&M, Houston, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Georgia, and Auburn.
During his sophomore season, Schell recorded 77 tackles, 14 for a loss, 12 quarterback hurries, three sacks, one forced fumble, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery across 12 games. He has taken nearly 40 visits to different programs throughout his recruitment process, citing that both Clemson and Oklahoma fit him culturally and schematically.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables previously served as Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s defensive coordinator for nearly a decade, departing in 2022. Venables has implemented similar principles and philosophies at Oklahoma, including the S.O.U.L. Mission, which is based on Clemson’s P.A.W. Journey developmental program.
While an expert prediction favors Oklahoma, Schell is scheduled to visit Death Valley on September 12 for Clemson’s home opener against Georgia Southern. He will then visit Norman on September 19 for Oklahoma’s matchup against New Mexico. Schell plans to make his decision shortly after these final visits.
Angelo Feliberty, a Sports Communication major and a native of Myrtle Beach, was a three-year letterman in track at Myrtle Beach High School.
