Deciding there was no reason to wait until later in the week, defensive back Garry Peters (6-1 180) of Conyers, Ga., committed Monday night to Clemson over Alabama.

"It's a weight lifted off my shoulders, and now I can focus on my senior season," Peters said. "It's like a shoe that fit perfectly. My family loved Clemson, my coaches loved it and all the coaches at Clemson felt just like my coaches in high school. It's a family atmosphere.

"And I can play early but it all depends on me. I'd like to play both ways, but we'll see."

Peters also plays receiver but is considered first and foremost a lock-down corner.

Some of his other offers were USC, Tennessee, Auburn, Maryland, Central Florida and East Carolina. He becomes the 15th commitment and the third cornerback for the Tigers' 2010 class.