USC, Clemson start summer camps

SUMMER CAMPS ARE open at USC and Clemson. Both staffs will have hundreds of players to work with over the next several weeks including some major prospects they would like to add to their programs.

USC did add its fourth commitment Saturday from a non-camper. offensive lineman Nick Allison (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) of Asheville, N.C., was offered a couple of weeks ago, visited the school Friday with his father, and contacted his recruiter Ray Rychleski Saturday to make his pledge. “I feel really comfortable with South Carolina,” Allison said. “They have a great program, and I know that’s where I want to play.” Allison also had an offer from Western Carolina and drew interest from North Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Marshall. He can play tackle and guard.

USC and Clemson made the first cut by wide receiver Jheranie Boyd (6-3, 185) of Gastonia, N.C., who is down to 15 schools. Some of the others still on the list are N.C. State, North Carolina, Southern Cal, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Michigan. He plans to trim the list to ten by the end of the month and to seven before his season. Boyd talked last week with USC’s Steve Spurrier and Steve Spurrier Jr. and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.

USC has given a verbal offer to tight end Justin Jones (6-8, 250) of Conyers, Ga., and he’s awaiting a written offer from the Gamecocks. Jones also has offers from UAB, East Carolina and Akron. Clemson also has shown interest along with Alabama, Central Florida and Kentucky, among others. He will be camping at Mississippi State, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Defensive back Timmy Breaker (6-0, 185) of Glassboro, N.J., plans a visit to Clemson over the summer. He has offers from Purdue, West Virginia, Hofstra and Buffalo. He’s also getting interest from Maryland and Rutgers, among others.

Tennessee offered defensive lineman Brandon Moore (6-6, 318) of Montgomery, Ala., last week joining Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Memphis, Central Florida and Southern Miss on his offer list. He plans to visit Clemson this summer.

USC showed interest in running back Greg Pratt (5-8, 161) of Naples, Fla., earlier in the spring but has not offered. He has offers from Indiana, N.C. State, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Troy and he’s favoring Cincinnati.

South Florida, USC, Florida State and Auburn are the top four, in order, with defensive back Ricardo Dixon (6-0, 175) of Hallandale, Fla. The rest of his top ten, in order, are Rutgers, Mississippi, Tennessee, Central Florida, Clemson and Georgia. Dixon was scheduled to visit USC over the weekend but had to postpone the visit until June 27. He will visit South Florida June 20.

Clemson is a finalist for offensive lineman Nick Alajajian (6-4, 291) of Naples, Fla. Also on the list are Georgia, LSU, Florida, Florida State and Miami. Clemson is recruiting him as a guard. He currently favors Florida.

USC offered defensive back D.J. Swearinger (6-2, 208) of Greenwood last week after seeing him in camp. “I’ve been waiting on an in-state offer,” Swearinger said. He also has offers from Vanderbilt, Maryland and Auburn, among others. His top five is USC, Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia and Michigan with Auburn out front.

Running back Demonte Terry (6-2, 194) of Laurinburg, N.C., was at USC’s camp last week and is hoping for an offer from the Gamecocks. He has one from East Carolina and is getting strong interest from Maryland and North Carolina. He also will camp at Virginia Tech later this month.

N.C. State is showing the most interest in Marlboro County wide receiver Kinsman Thomas (6-3, 195) according to his coach Dean Boyd. Thomas also has offers from USC, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Illinois and North Carolina according to Boyd.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson offensive lineman Thomas Hart (6-4, 305) plans camp stops at USC, Clemson, N.C. State and Florida to show coaches the surgically repaired ACL in his left knee is fine. He said USC and N.C. State have been showing the most interest.

Calhoun County wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey (6-3 217) and athlete David Sims (6-0, 208) were at USC Saturday for a passing league, and were scheduled to be at Alabama Sunday and Monday for a camp. Jeffrey has a written offer from Southern Cal on the way and he will visit there June 24.

Summerville quarterback Donny McElveen II (6-3, 190) will be at Clemson’s camp June 12, and he hopes to prove to quarterback coach Rob Spence he’s worthy of an offer. He’s been offered by Central Florida and Middle Tennessee State.

Dorman offensive lineman Brandon Thomas (6-4, 280) picked up a Virginia offer last week. He also has offers from Clemson, USC, North Carolina, Maryland, Vanderbilt, N.C. State and Tennessee. Clemson continues to lead.

Dorman defensive back Walt Canty (6-0, 200) has an offer from Presbyterian, while Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Duke and N.C. State want to see him in camp.

Presbyterian has offered Dorman offensive lineman Malcolm Boyd (6-3, 270) and he’s also getting interest from Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.

Miami recently sent a written offer to Dorman defensive back Taylor Sowell (5-11, 190) who has been a North Carolina commitment. Sowell also has an offer from West Virginia.

USC offered junior offensive lineman Eric Mack (6-5, 290) of Calhoun County last week during camp. He also has offers from North Carolina, Wake Forest, Kentucky and Alabama. Tennessee and Florida appear close to offering.

Running back Desmond Scott (5-10 185) of Durham, N.C., who counted Clemson and USC among his offers, committed last week to Rutgers.

Basketball News.Kenny Manigault (6-4) of Pinewood Prep, visited USC last Wednesday with his mother and stepfather. He did not receive an offer on the visit, but both sides are very interested in each other. “He didn’t like it, he loved it,” said Manigault’s AAU coach Rufus McDonald. “I hope coach Horn continues to get hot and heavy on him.” McDonald added that USC is Manigault’s favorite among all the schools showing interest. Wichita State has been showing serious interest according to McDonald.