On Recruiting
LAST WEEK’S COMMITMENT from defensive end Travian Robertson (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) of Laurinburg, N.C., certainly gives a boost to USC’s recruiting efforts. It had been over a month since the Gamecocks’ last commitment.
With Robertson’s commitment, the Gamecocks can feel some recruiting momentum shifting back their way. They are hoping for good news this week from wide receiver Jason Barnes (6-4, 196) of Charlotte who is deciding between USC and North Carolina. His coach said Barnes seemed to favor the Tar Heels, but his parents like the Gamecocks.
Saturday tight end Wes Saunders (6-5, 270) of Durham, N.C., visited USC with his father and has the Gamecocks squarely in the picture. Saunders will visit USC this fall. He also has dates set with Louisville and Penn State. His other offers are Clemson, East Carolina, Wake Forest, North Carolina, N.C. State and Maryland. He does not have a favorite.
When the Gamecocks open practice Saturday night, their top quarterback target, Stephen Garcia (6-3, 215) of Tampa, Fla., plans to be there for an unofficial visit. Garcia has said USC and Florida are his favorites. He competed at the Elite 11 quarterback camp in California last week and was rated third behind Texas commitment John Brantley IV and Clemson commitment Willy Korn.
The Gamecocks lead for defensive end Cortez Myles (6-3, 250) of Madison, Miss., and he’s thinking about making a commitment for his season. Myles also has Auburn, LSU and Florida in the mix.
USC is in the top four with defensive back Akeem Auguste (5-10, 175) of Hollywood, Fla. He also likes Florida, Florida State and Auburn. He said he will take in a game at USC this season.
Offensive lineman Kyle Nunn (6-6, 280) of Sumter committed to Virginia Tech last week. He also had offers from N.C. State and North Carolina.
Shrine Bowl defensive lineman Chris Donaldson (6-3, 260) of Westside signed last week with Coffeyville (Kan.) JC.
Cheraw defensive end Cliff Matthews (6-5, 223) has traded his basketball sneakers for football cleats after returning from an AAU tournament in Las Vegas. He plans to have a decision in August and said his preference remains Georgia, Clemson and USC. He does plan to make an unofficial visit to Clemson before deciding.
Conway wide receiver Junior Hemingway (6-2, 205) made an unofficial visit to USC last week and has the Gamecocks on his favorites’ list along with Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida and Miami. He wants to make a decision before his season.
Byrnes linebacker Chad Diehl (6-2, 235) has offers from Duke, Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina and says Clemson and Georgia Tech plan to watch him early in the season.
Spring Valley offensive lineman Kyle Fischer (6-6, 300) now has offers from Louisville, Maryland, Vanderbilt, East Carolina and N.C. State.
Tight end Brian Linthicum (6-5, 225) of Charlottesville, Va., will announce his decision Thursday with Clemson, Boston College, Michigan State, California and Virginia Tech on his list. He will make an unofficial visit to Virginia Tech on Tuesday. He has no favorite.
USC has offered defensive end Byron McKnight (6-4, 215) of Laurinburg, N.C., Travian Robertson’s teammate. That is his first offer.
Defensive lineman Kyle Linney (6-3, 275) of Taylorsville, N.C., has offers from USC, N.C. State and East Carolina. He’s a slight lean to N.C. State.
USC and Florida are the two favorites of two Ocala, Fla., teammates: defensive back Antonio Allen (6-1, 190) and wide receiver Deon Lecorn (6-0, 205). Both plan to make unofficial visits soon and official visits during the season.
Allen also has offers from Clemson, Nebraska, Mississippi, Louisville, N.C. State and North Carolina. Florida has not offered. Lecorn list includes Clemson, South Florida, Central Florida, Louisville, N.C. State, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee and LSU.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/colleges/university_of_south_carolina/15161370.htm
