Lineman spurns the ATL for Death Valley and Kendrick Johnson waiting on approval from NCAA?

His dad’s move to the big city convinced Spring Valley’s Mason Cloy to stay close to home.
Cloy, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound offensive lineman, committed to Clemson on Wednesday after spending the weekend unloading boxes in Atlanta. That is where his father, Col. Mike Cloy, a member of the Army infantry, is moving after being reassigned to Fort McPherson from Fort Jackson.

Cloy said he realized Tuesday he would not enjoy living in such a big city, thereby eliminating Georgia Tech from contention for his college football services. That narrowed Cloy’s list to Clemson and Virginia Tech.

The rising high school senior phoned Tigers assistant Brad Scott with his decision Wednesday morning.

“I think it surprised him,” Cloy said. “He said he was on his way back from fly fishing in North Carolina and had to pull off the road.”

Cloy’s pledge gives Clemson 10 commitments for 2007, including eight from in-state prospects. Only Virginia (11) has more among ACC schools.

Cloy, who is slated to play tight end this season for Spring Valley, was recruited by Clemson as a center. He is the team’s fourth offensive lineman commitment, joining Greenville’s David Smith, Pickens’ Wilson Norris and Landon Walker of East Wilkes (N.C.) High School.

As a junior Cloy recorded 62 knockdown blocks before moving to tight end, where he caught two touchdown passes.

Cloy said Clemson ultimately offered the living environment he wanted for the next couple years.

“I got down to Atlanta, and it was like, ‘That’s not me,’” Cloy said. “I wouldn’t be able to live there for five years. I consider Columbia a small town, and I felt I really wanted to be at Clemson because it felt like home.”

Freshmen orientation. Sixteen of Clemson’s 19 signees are on campus for the second session of summer school.



The Tigers are awaiting NCAA Clearinghouse approval for two players: Twiggs County (Ga.) H.S. running back JoJo Cox and Dillard (Fla.) H.S. receiver Kendrick Johnson.

Godby (Fla.) H.S. safety DeAndre McDaniel failed to meet NCAA qualifying standards and is likely headed to prep school.

Clemson also is waiting to learn whether longtime commitment Julius Wilkerson, a linebacker from Gaffney, gains Clearinghouse approval.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/colleges/clemson_university/14974642.htm