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When Justyn Ross was much younger, he jumped into the deep end of a pool and had to be rescued -- because he didn’t know how to swim.

A family friend revisited that story Wednesday when the Phenix City (Ala.) Central five-star receiver picked Clemson over local favorites Alabama and Auburn in a surprise to the National Signing Day audience.

Ross had his mind made up about what he was going to do.

TigerIllustrated.com visited one-on-one with Ross’ mother, Charay Franklin, for her perspective on how the 6-foot-4, 202-pounder came about his college decision: