DE Xavier Thomas promises a merry Christmas for half the state
FEBRUARY 25, 2017 BY PHIL KORNBLUT LINK: SPORTSTALK
Xavier Thomas
DE Xavier Thomas of Florence and IMG Academy in Florence confirmed with a tweet Friday night that he will make his college decision between Clemson and USC known on his birthday, December 20th and enroll at the school in January.
Thomas has said the Tigers and Gamecocks have 99% of his attention with Alabama holding the other 1%.
Thomas visited Clemson for a junior day in late January. He and some of his IMG teammates are going on a bus tour next week and one of the stops will be Thursday at USC, his first visit with the Gamecocks since last season.
Except for interviews at The Opening regional event in Orlando earlier this month, Thomas has remained quite regarding his recruiting. Whatever information he shares, he does so within a tightly knit group that includes his former coach at Wilson Thomas Balkcom.
“He’s definitely adamant about what he’s said in the past and that’s where his focus is,” Balkcom said. “He’s just preparing for the upcoming season and doing the best he can down there at IMG. He misses his former teammates and he misses Florence but like he said, people do things that they feel are the best for them.”
Thomas has made no secret of the fact he grew up a USC fan and recently revealed that he would already be a Gamecock commitment had Steve Spurrier not left. But he also has developed a fondness for Clemson, especially with the opportunity to make an immediate impact for the defending national champions.
“He likes South Carolina, he’s always been leaning towards South Carolina,” Balkcom said. “You can’t deny the fact that Clemson is a top notch, Power Five program. Coach Swinney and his staff have built that place up and now you have Coach Muschamp and his staff who are determined to build South Carolina up. Him being a homegrown product, it’s going to be a big time war for his services.”
“I know that Xavier is a very cerebral kid,” Balkcom continued. “He’ll think about it and weigh things out. Who knows what will tip him to either way. If he gives you his word, you can pretty much count on it. He doesn’t say much, so when he does give you his word, you can hold on to that because that’s the type of kid he is.”
One of Balkcom’s current players at Wilson, DB Zion Keith (6-1 190), will be at USC’s junior day Saturday and will be looking for an offer from the Gamecocks.
“Zion Keith is the best defensive back in the state, period,” Balkcom said. “He can play both (corner and safety), that’s what makes him so unique. He had 7 interceptions, 2 pick sixes, 2 fumble recoveries for touchdowns, he has great speed (4.47), 37 inch vertical, he has length, he’s aggressive, he’s smart and he will strike you. That’s what I love.”
Balkcom said he hopes USC will offer and he believes the Gamecocks will. Keith has offers from Wake Forest, UCF and SC State.
FEBRUARY 25, 2017 BY PHIL KORNBLUT LINK: SPORTSTALK
DE Xavier Thomas of Florence and IMG Academy in Florence confirmed with a tweet Friday night that he will make his college decision between Clemson and USC known on his birthday, December 20th and enroll at the school in January.
Thomas has said the Tigers and Gamecocks have 99% of his attention with Alabama holding the other 1%.
Thomas visited Clemson for a junior day in late January. He and some of his IMG teammates are going on a bus tour next week and one of the stops will be Thursday at USC, his first visit with the Gamecocks since last season.
Except for interviews at The Opening regional event in Orlando earlier this month, Thomas has remained quite regarding his recruiting. Whatever information he shares, he does so within a tightly knit group that includes his former coach at Wilson Thomas Balkcom.
“He’s definitely adamant about what he’s said in the past and that’s where his focus is,” Balkcom said. “He’s just preparing for the upcoming season and doing the best he can down there at IMG. He misses his former teammates and he misses Florence but like he said, people do things that they feel are the best for them.”
Thomas has made no secret of the fact he grew up a USC fan and recently revealed that he would already be a Gamecock commitment had Steve Spurrier not left. But he also has developed a fondness for Clemson, especially with the opportunity to make an immediate impact for the defending national champions.
“He likes South Carolina, he’s always been leaning towards South Carolina,” Balkcom said. “You can’t deny the fact that Clemson is a top notch, Power Five program. Coach Swinney and his staff have built that place up and now you have Coach Muschamp and his staff who are determined to build South Carolina up. Him being a homegrown product, it’s going to be a big time war for his services.”
“I know that Xavier is a very cerebral kid,” Balkcom continued. “He’ll think about it and weigh things out. Who knows what will tip him to either way. If he gives you his word, you can pretty much count on it. He doesn’t say much, so when he does give you his word, you can hold on to that because that’s the type of kid he is.”
One of Balkcom’s current players at Wilson, DB Zion Keith (6-1 190), will be at USC’s junior day Saturday and will be looking for an offer from the Gamecocks.
“Zion Keith is the best defensive back in the state, period,” Balkcom said. “He can play both (corner and safety), that’s what makes him so unique. He had 7 interceptions, 2 pick sixes, 2 fumble recoveries for touchdowns, he has great speed (4.47), 37 inch vertical, he has length, he’s aggressive, he’s smart and he will strike you. That’s what I love.”
Balkcom said he hopes USC will offer and he believes the Gamecocks will. Keith has offers from Wake Forest, UCF and SC State.