Clemson hosts 4-star corner as coaches try to reload secondary

Mullen talks with Tavien Feaster during the basketball game Saturday

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Jan 18 11:02:17 GMT-04:00 2016

Clemson’s secondary has been gutted since the loss to Alabama in the National Championship Game, and the Clemson coaching staff hopes to sign one corner by National Signing Day. Could Trayvon Mullen be that corner?

Starting cornerback Mackensie Alexander announced last week he would forego his final two seasons at Clemson and declare for the NFL Draft, joining safeties T.J. Green and Jayron Kearse as secondary members who would be leaving early.

Enter Mullen, the 4-star 2016 prospect out of Coconut Creek (FL) who took an official visit to Clemson this past weekend. Mullen, who is being recruited by defensive coordinator Brent Venables, has offers from all of the big-time programs including Alabama, Florida St., Georgia, Michigan, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Ohio St., Tennessee and Texas.

He has taken official visits to Florida State and TCU and this past weekend spent time on Clemson’s campus.

“The visit went great,” Mullen told ESPN’s Gerry Hamilton. “I had an awesome time. It was exactly what I thought of it to be, as it was my dream school.”

Mullen spent time with 2016 Clemson commit Tavien Feaster and early-enrollee Rahshaun Smith and said he enjoyed getting to know everyone involved with the Clemson program. Freshman receiver Ray-Ray McCloud was Mullen's player host.

“The highlight was getting to know the coaches, meeting some of the players and talking to them, and getting the whole perspective of the school.”

Mullen traveled with the other recruits to Clemson’s basketball win over Miami in Greenville Saturday afternoon and returned to Clemson in time to get a 1-on-1 with head coach Dabo Swinney, who missed the earlier part of the visit because he was on the road receiving the Walter Camp Foundation Coach of the Year Award.

Once he arrived back on campus, Swinney had a simple message for Mullen.

“Coach Dabo’s message was completely the best," Mullen said. "He is an awesome guy, doing good with the program and explaining the opportunity and how I can make an impact.”

Mullen’s next official visit will be to LSU this weekend. Former Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele was recruiting Mullen, but Steele took the job at Auburn earlier this month.

Mullen is scheduled to announce his decision live on ESPNU on national signing day, February 3. He is ranked as the No. 17 overall player in ESPN’s 300, is the third-ranked player coming out of Florida and the number two ranked cornerback.

Enjoyed My Visit This Weekend With The Clemson Tigers ?????? pic.twitter.com/DmY7RP43I7
— Mr.ShutDown (@Mullen_1era) January 17, 2016

#ESPN300 No. 17 @Mullen_1era on OV to #Clemson with DC Brent Venables -> -> pic.twitter.com/FZi09vpmer
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) January 16, 2016