USC appears to have improved their positioning with DB Wesley Green of Lithonia, GA and DL Dexter Wideman of Saluda, both of whom made official visits last weekend.
Green is now favoring USC over Georgia coming off the visit. Green had been considering Ole Miss as a third option but has dropped the Rebels. He will take his official visit to Georgia January 31st and will announce a final choice on Signing Day. USC head coach Steve Spurrier and defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward met Wednesday with Green. “All went well,” said Green’s coach Cortez Allen. “They got a chance to sit down and have a pretty good conversation. They talked about jersey number and coming in early and compete for the job right away. He had his South Carolina gear on today so that kind of made the coaches feel pretty good.” Allen said the meeting just added to USC’s strong position with Green but he still plans to visit Georgia January 31st. “He told some of his classmates today it’s all going to depend on that trip. Just depends on how that trip ends up and he’ll go from there. But he’s pretty much at the same spot. South Carolina is the leader, no doubt.” Georgia head coach Mark Richt has not been in yet and Allen said he’s not sure when he’ll be in. There was an internet report that Green would wait until 5:00 PM on Signing Day to announce his decision on a TV outlet. Allen said he’s not aware of that and he expects Green to participate in the school's signing ceremony early in the morning on National Signing Day.
Wideman is still committed to Florida State. "Nothing has changed yet. I'm going to wait until after my visit (to Florida State) on the 31st," Wideman said. As for the strength of his commitment to Florida State, Wideman said, "It's still the same. The visit did move me some in (USC's) direction but I don't want to say. I'm just waiting until after the visit on the 31st." Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher was in Saluda Tuesday to visit with Wideman and his grandmother. "He had a great talk with coach Fisher," Saluda High principal Harvey Livingston said after speaking with Wideman Wednesday. "It was pretty impressive. He said it was a great visit. They spent about 15 minutes at the school and then went for about an hour at his grandma's. He told him how much he really wants him. Dexter is very excited about his visit yesterday and is very excited about his visit (to Florida State) on the 31st. His face lit up pretty big when talking about Fisher. But he said everybody would find out on the fifth (National Signing Day). I think he's still in the same vane. His commitment is still strong. He'll let us know on National Signing Day."
DE Darrius Caldwell of Pearl River JC, MS committed to USC earlier this month and this week his commitment was firmed up both ways after a visit from recruiter Deke Adams. USC recruited Caldwell out of high school in Atlanta but he signed with Illinois. He spent two seasons there but left after the coaching change and played this season at Pearl River. He will have two years to play two. "They need a guy that's ready to play and I would add a little more versatility to their defense in my playing style," Caldwell said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to attend the university and play SEC football." Caldwell said he's on track to graduate in May. "I only need a few more credits to get out and I just have to take a few more classes here at the JC." Caldwell's current coach, Williams Jones, feels USC will be an excellent fit for Caldwell. "Darrius has got the ability to play on Sundays," Jones said. "There's not a better fit for him than South Carolina. It's in the SEC, there's great weather, and it's a great program. There couldn't be a better fit for him." Of course, all involved understand there's academic work ahead for Caldwell before he can put on a USC uniform. "We've had that conversation with coach Adams," Jones said. "His grades are OK. He did college work for two years at Illinois. He's just got to take care of his business academically." Caldwell is scheduled to visit USC this weekend and won't take any other visits. Caldwell is the 18th commitment for USC's 2014 class.
DB Chris Lammons of Plantation, FL made his official visit to USC over the weekend and as expected he did not make a commitment. Lammons has also visited Wisconsin and is going to decide between the Gamecocks and Badgers. Lammons will wait until Signing Day for his announcement. “He’s very high on South Carolina,” said his coach Steve Davis. “He’s developing a real good relationship with coach (Grady) Brown. There’s playing time there and the type of scheme they run in the secondary, he likes that. South Carolina has a really good chance.” As does Wisconsin at this point. “He has a former teammate there in Sojourn Shelton and he can get on the field there real early. He’ll have a better gauge when he gets back (from USC).”
OL Damian Prince of Forestville, MD was also in at USC over the weekend. That was his third official visit. He's also been to Florida State and Maryland. He is scheduled to visit Florida January 31st. Penn State is now talking to Prince since James Franklin took over and is trying to get him in for a visit as well. Penn State and Florida were in Thursday according to his coach. And Keith Goganious said he's looking for USC head coach Steve Spurrier and recruiter GA Mangus to make a visit with Prince next week. The coach said Prince enjoyed his visit to USC. "He had a great weekend," said Goganious. "He talked about coach Spurrier and sitting down and meeting with him." The coach said USC, Florida and Maryland look the strongest with Prince right now but Penn State is trying to get into the picture as well.
DB DJ Smith of Marietta, GA, who is a USC commitment, made his official visit over the weekend and he confirmed he is still committed to USC. He is scheduled to visit Tennessee this weekend but there’s some doubt that will take place.
DE Taylor Stallworth of Mobile, AL made his official visit to USC over the weekend and has shut down his recruiting, canceling a visit to Mississippi State for this weekend. He has been committed to USC since last summer. "I'm just ready to get up there and help USC win a SEC championship." Stallworth played defensive end and outside linebacker in high school. Last season he had 60 tackles and 6 sacks. He played in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game and recorded 8 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack.
RB Derrell Scott of Havelock, NC made his final official visit over the weekend to Florida and now will take a week to have final in home visits and make his decision before announcing on January 27th at 3:15 PM at his school. Scott is primarily considering USC and Tennessee. Spurrier made his in home visit with Scott Thursday, a day after Tennessee coach Butch Jones. For much of Scott's recruiting the feeling was that USC was the team to beat but his assistant coach Caleb King disagrees with that assessment. "I don't ever think there was a slam dunk. I think there was perception out there he was going to follow Pharoh (Cooper). They are very good friends. Of course he's also very good friends with Kendal Vickers who is probably going to be a starting defensive end at Tennessee next year." King said Scott will keep his decision to his self until he announces his decision on the 27th. Tennessee has been reported as his leader.
Several schools have been in this week to meet with WR Isaiah Ford of Jacksonville. Wake Forest coaches were in Wednesday while Tuesday he met with coaches from Louisville, Stanford and Georgia according to Trinity Christian assistant coach Gerard Ross. Ford did not make a scheduled official visit to Miami last weekend but is scheduled to visit this weekend. He has visited Virginia Tech and Louisville. USC has also been in the mix but the Gamecocks don’t appear to be pushing hard at this point.
WR Shaq Davidson of Gaffney has been a USC commitment since July and he made his official visit with the Gamecocks last weekend. But he will take an official visit to Auburn this weekend. Auburn was one of his dozen or so offers at the time he committed to the Gamecocks. The Tigers made a strong push for Davidson last spring and he attended their Big Cat Weekend last May. Davidson played a lot of quarterback for the Indians but he was a receiver in the Shrine Bowl and will play that position in college.
Shrine Bowl DL Poona Ford of Hilton Head again pulled the plug on a USC visit this week, the second time he has canceled a trip to Columbia after saying he would visit. After the first time earlier this month, his coach BJ Payne said Ford just didn't want to go to USC and realized that he was trying to please others rather than make a decision for himself. This time, Payne says it’s basically the same story. "Poona took a couple of days to think and he decided it wasn't the school for him," Payne said. "He truly wasn't interested in continuing his career there." Ford has taken an official visit to Texas and Longhorn coach Charley Strong is expected to visit him next week. As for now, Ford's plans for this weekend are up in the air. He could move his Missouri visit up from next weekend or he could trip to Purdue. Ford camped at Purdue last summer and four of their coaches have known him for a while from recruiting him for different schools.
Juniors:
QB Marquane Goodman of West Florence has USC and NC State as his top choices. His sole offer is from Appalachian State with interest coming from USC, NC State, Arkansas and Tennessee. Clemson and NC State are two visits Goodman has made.
RB Nyheim Hines of Garner, NC had perhaps the best offensive season of any non-quarterback in the Carolinas in 2013. Hines rushed for 3147 yards and 50 touchdowns. He averaged 10.5 yards per carry. He also had 600 yards receiving with 8 touchdowns, he passed for two touchdowns and he had a pair of touchdowns on kickoff returns. All of that will make him one of the hottest prospects around for 2014 and right now Clemson and USC figure to be in the hunt. Hines said he's in regular contact with the recruiters from both schools. Hines plans to visit USC, Clemson, Ohio State, Duke, Tennessee and Florida State. He's also in regular contact with Duke, Florida State, Nebraska, Wake Forest. Tennessee and Virginia Tech are his most recent offers. Hines said he doesn't have any clear favorites right now.
ATH RayRay McCloud of Tampa has been offered as a running back by Clemson and USC. McCloud has not visited USC but has been to Clemson twice. He says he is interested in both programs. Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the other schools he has visited. He plans to visit Florida, South Florida and Southern Cal this spring. He does not have any favorites but said that USC, Clemson, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Florida are showing the most interest. All have offered. His other offers include UCLA, Ohio State, Louisville and Wisconsin.
DB Mark Fields Jr. of Cornelius, GA has a top ten list of Clemson, USC, Georgia, Tennessee, NC State, LSU, Ole Miss, UCLA, Florida and LSU.
OL Shaq Crouch (6-5 333) of Johnsonville is hearing from several schools but has yet to receive his first offer. Of those showing interest, Crouch named USC his favorite. Crouch is also hearing from Clemson, North Carolina, NC State, Florida State, Tennessee and Alabama. He has visited USC and Clemson.
Green is now favoring USC over Georgia coming off the visit. Green had been considering Ole Miss as a third option but has dropped the Rebels. He will take his official visit to Georgia January 31st and will announce a final choice on Signing Day. USC head coach Steve Spurrier and defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward met Wednesday with Green. “All went well,” said Green’s coach Cortez Allen. “They got a chance to sit down and have a pretty good conversation. They talked about jersey number and coming in early and compete for the job right away. He had his South Carolina gear on today so that kind of made the coaches feel pretty good.” Allen said the meeting just added to USC’s strong position with Green but he still plans to visit Georgia January 31st. “He told some of his classmates today it’s all going to depend on that trip. Just depends on how that trip ends up and he’ll go from there. But he’s pretty much at the same spot. South Carolina is the leader, no doubt.” Georgia head coach Mark Richt has not been in yet and Allen said he’s not sure when he’ll be in. There was an internet report that Green would wait until 5:00 PM on Signing Day to announce his decision on a TV outlet. Allen said he’s not aware of that and he expects Green to participate in the school's signing ceremony early in the morning on National Signing Day.
Wideman is still committed to Florida State. "Nothing has changed yet. I'm going to wait until after my visit (to Florida State) on the 31st," Wideman said. As for the strength of his commitment to Florida State, Wideman said, "It's still the same. The visit did move me some in (USC's) direction but I don't want to say. I'm just waiting until after the visit on the 31st." Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher was in Saluda Tuesday to visit with Wideman and his grandmother. "He had a great talk with coach Fisher," Saluda High principal Harvey Livingston said after speaking with Wideman Wednesday. "It was pretty impressive. He said it was a great visit. They spent about 15 minutes at the school and then went for about an hour at his grandma's. He told him how much he really wants him. Dexter is very excited about his visit yesterday and is very excited about his visit (to Florida State) on the 31st. His face lit up pretty big when talking about Fisher. But he said everybody would find out on the fifth (National Signing Day). I think he's still in the same vane. His commitment is still strong. He'll let us know on National Signing Day."
DE Darrius Caldwell of Pearl River JC, MS committed to USC earlier this month and this week his commitment was firmed up both ways after a visit from recruiter Deke Adams. USC recruited Caldwell out of high school in Atlanta but he signed with Illinois. He spent two seasons there but left after the coaching change and played this season at Pearl River. He will have two years to play two. "They need a guy that's ready to play and I would add a little more versatility to their defense in my playing style," Caldwell said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to attend the university and play SEC football." Caldwell said he's on track to graduate in May. "I only need a few more credits to get out and I just have to take a few more classes here at the JC." Caldwell's current coach, Williams Jones, feels USC will be an excellent fit for Caldwell. "Darrius has got the ability to play on Sundays," Jones said. "There's not a better fit for him than South Carolina. It's in the SEC, there's great weather, and it's a great program. There couldn't be a better fit for him." Of course, all involved understand there's academic work ahead for Caldwell before he can put on a USC uniform. "We've had that conversation with coach Adams," Jones said. "His grades are OK. He did college work for two years at Illinois. He's just got to take care of his business academically." Caldwell is scheduled to visit USC this weekend and won't take any other visits. Caldwell is the 18th commitment for USC's 2014 class.
DB Chris Lammons of Plantation, FL made his official visit to USC over the weekend and as expected he did not make a commitment. Lammons has also visited Wisconsin and is going to decide between the Gamecocks and Badgers. Lammons will wait until Signing Day for his announcement. “He’s very high on South Carolina,” said his coach Steve Davis. “He’s developing a real good relationship with coach (Grady) Brown. There’s playing time there and the type of scheme they run in the secondary, he likes that. South Carolina has a really good chance.” As does Wisconsin at this point. “He has a former teammate there in Sojourn Shelton and he can get on the field there real early. He’ll have a better gauge when he gets back (from USC).”
OL Damian Prince of Forestville, MD was also in at USC over the weekend. That was his third official visit. He's also been to Florida State and Maryland. He is scheduled to visit Florida January 31st. Penn State is now talking to Prince since James Franklin took over and is trying to get him in for a visit as well. Penn State and Florida were in Thursday according to his coach. And Keith Goganious said he's looking for USC head coach Steve Spurrier and recruiter GA Mangus to make a visit with Prince next week. The coach said Prince enjoyed his visit to USC. "He had a great weekend," said Goganious. "He talked about coach Spurrier and sitting down and meeting with him." The coach said USC, Florida and Maryland look the strongest with Prince right now but Penn State is trying to get into the picture as well.
DB DJ Smith of Marietta, GA, who is a USC commitment, made his official visit over the weekend and he confirmed he is still committed to USC. He is scheduled to visit Tennessee this weekend but there’s some doubt that will take place.
DE Taylor Stallworth of Mobile, AL made his official visit to USC over the weekend and has shut down his recruiting, canceling a visit to Mississippi State for this weekend. He has been committed to USC since last summer. "I'm just ready to get up there and help USC win a SEC championship." Stallworth played defensive end and outside linebacker in high school. Last season he had 60 tackles and 6 sacks. He played in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game and recorded 8 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack.
RB Derrell Scott of Havelock, NC made his final official visit over the weekend to Florida and now will take a week to have final in home visits and make his decision before announcing on January 27th at 3:15 PM at his school. Scott is primarily considering USC and Tennessee. Spurrier made his in home visit with Scott Thursday, a day after Tennessee coach Butch Jones. For much of Scott's recruiting the feeling was that USC was the team to beat but his assistant coach Caleb King disagrees with that assessment. "I don't ever think there was a slam dunk. I think there was perception out there he was going to follow Pharoh (Cooper). They are very good friends. Of course he's also very good friends with Kendal Vickers who is probably going to be a starting defensive end at Tennessee next year." King said Scott will keep his decision to his self until he announces his decision on the 27th. Tennessee has been reported as his leader.
Several schools have been in this week to meet with WR Isaiah Ford of Jacksonville. Wake Forest coaches were in Wednesday while Tuesday he met with coaches from Louisville, Stanford and Georgia according to Trinity Christian assistant coach Gerard Ross. Ford did not make a scheduled official visit to Miami last weekend but is scheduled to visit this weekend. He has visited Virginia Tech and Louisville. USC has also been in the mix but the Gamecocks don’t appear to be pushing hard at this point.
WR Shaq Davidson of Gaffney has been a USC commitment since July and he made his official visit with the Gamecocks last weekend. But he will take an official visit to Auburn this weekend. Auburn was one of his dozen or so offers at the time he committed to the Gamecocks. The Tigers made a strong push for Davidson last spring and he attended their Big Cat Weekend last May. Davidson played a lot of quarterback for the Indians but he was a receiver in the Shrine Bowl and will play that position in college.
Shrine Bowl DL Poona Ford of Hilton Head again pulled the plug on a USC visit this week, the second time he has canceled a trip to Columbia after saying he would visit. After the first time earlier this month, his coach BJ Payne said Ford just didn't want to go to USC and realized that he was trying to please others rather than make a decision for himself. This time, Payne says it’s basically the same story. "Poona took a couple of days to think and he decided it wasn't the school for him," Payne said. "He truly wasn't interested in continuing his career there." Ford has taken an official visit to Texas and Longhorn coach Charley Strong is expected to visit him next week. As for now, Ford's plans for this weekend are up in the air. He could move his Missouri visit up from next weekend or he could trip to Purdue. Ford camped at Purdue last summer and four of their coaches have known him for a while from recruiting him for different schools.
Juniors:
QB Marquane Goodman of West Florence has USC and NC State as his top choices. His sole offer is from Appalachian State with interest coming from USC, NC State, Arkansas and Tennessee. Clemson and NC State are two visits Goodman has made.
RB Nyheim Hines of Garner, NC had perhaps the best offensive season of any non-quarterback in the Carolinas in 2013. Hines rushed for 3147 yards and 50 touchdowns. He averaged 10.5 yards per carry. He also had 600 yards receiving with 8 touchdowns, he passed for two touchdowns and he had a pair of touchdowns on kickoff returns. All of that will make him one of the hottest prospects around for 2014 and right now Clemson and USC figure to be in the hunt. Hines said he's in regular contact with the recruiters from both schools. Hines plans to visit USC, Clemson, Ohio State, Duke, Tennessee and Florida State. He's also in regular contact with Duke, Florida State, Nebraska, Wake Forest. Tennessee and Virginia Tech are his most recent offers. Hines said he doesn't have any clear favorites right now.
ATH RayRay McCloud of Tampa has been offered as a running back by Clemson and USC. McCloud has not visited USC but has been to Clemson twice. He says he is interested in both programs. Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the other schools he has visited. He plans to visit Florida, South Florida and Southern Cal this spring. He does not have any favorites but said that USC, Clemson, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Florida are showing the most interest. All have offered. His other offers include UCLA, Ohio State, Louisville and Wisconsin.
DB Mark Fields Jr. of Cornelius, GA has a top ten list of Clemson, USC, Georgia, Tennessee, NC State, LSU, Ole Miss, UCLA, Florida and LSU.
OL Shaq Crouch (6-5 333) of Johnsonville is hearing from several schools but has yet to receive his first offer. Of those showing interest, Crouch named USC his favorite. Crouch is also hearing from Clemson, North Carolina, NC State, Florida State, Tennessee and Alabama. He has visited USC and Clemson.
