Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Mark another one down for the Prattville Lions. A few days after wide receiver Deshawn Hall committed to Auburn, Prattville safety Jayden Aparicio-Bailey committed to play for the Clemson Tigers. His final decision came down Clemson and Georgia, with the ACC team winning the recruiting battle.
“What made me choose Clemson is their culture and how I feel so comfortable in the development under Coach Reed,” said Aparicio-Bailey.
Aparicio-Bailey is ranked as the one of the top 10 football players in the entire state of Alabama across many different recruiting websites and is ranked #117 nationally by Rivals.
The Prattville standout visited Clemson numerous times to make sure that Clemson was the place for him after high school.
“I visited Clemson’s campus about five times and every time I went down there, I loved it,” said Aparicio-Bailey.
The safety credited Clemson Assistant Head Coach and Cornerbacks Coach Reed as being influential in his decision to commit to the Tigers, along with Head Coach Dabo Swinney.
Aparicio-Bailey has one more high school season before moving to Clemson. He has goals set for his senior year, as well as his freshman season in college.
“My goal next year is to win the state championship at Prattville. When I get to Clemson, my goal is to be an impact early and I want to study some type of exercise science.”
The 2026 season will kickoff in less than two months when the Lions travel to Niceville, Florida. The Lions’ team will feature a squad loaded with Division 1 commitments. In addition to Aparicio-Bailey who is headed to Clemson, the Lions will also feature Jason Crenshaw who will play at Georgia Tech, Elijah Brown who is headed to Kentucky, Ricardo “Bam” Parker who is going to Troy, and Deshawn Hall who will play for Auburn.
The Lions’ signal caller, rising junior Will McKay, also holds multiple Division 1 offers, to include Tulsa, Florida International, Bowling Green, and East Tennessee State.
