Player bios: Meet USC's class of 2009

Corey Addison

DB | 5-11, 177, Andrew Jackson HS (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Played both quarterback and safety in high school. ... Logged more than 150 tackles and six interceptions over his final two seasons. ... Participated in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic following his senior season. ... Had 77 tackles and three interceptions as a junior. ... Considered 21st-best safety in the nation and the 68th-best prospect in the state of Florida by Rivals.com. Considered 90th-best safety in the nation by Scout.com. Considered the state’s 91st-best player according to SuperPrep. ... Also considered UCF, Florida, Miami.

Nick Allison

OL | 6-4, 285, T.C. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.)

Rated 46th-best offensive guard in the nation, 18th-best player in the state of North Carolina and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. The nation’s 56th-best offensive guard according to Scout.com. ... Had strong interest from Clemson, North Carolina, N.C. State and Tennessee.

Ben Axon

RB | 6-1, 195, Manatee HS (Bradenton, Fla.)

Ran for more than 1,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a senior. ... Rated as the nation’s 31st-best running back and the 54th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com. Was the nation’s 87th-best running back according to Scout.com. Originally committed to Clemson, and also considered Florida State, Purdue and West Virginia.

DeMario Bennett

WR | 6-3, 185, Coffee County HS (Douglas, Ga.)

Considered 84th-best prospect in Georgia by Rivals.com, Considered nation’s 191st-best wide receiver by Scout.com. Also considered Arkansas.

Ronald Byrd

DL | 6-6, 285, Fork Union Military

Originally signed with the Gamecocks in February 2008. ... Considered 15th-best prep school prospect in the country by Rivals.com. Was an all-area selection as an offensive lineman at Callaway High School in Hogansville, Ga. ... Selected USC over Arkansas, Auburn, Indiana, Louisville and Purdue.

Duane Chisolm

DL | 6-2, 256, Beaufort HS (Beaufort)

Played defensive end for Mark Clifford at Beaufort High. Missed the second half of his senior season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. ... Considered 13th-best strongside defensive end in the 2009 class, and the 12th-best prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com. Was nation’s 41st-best defensive end according to Scout.com. ... Also had offers from Clemson, N.C. State and Florida State. ... Played prep football with Gamecock teammates Jimmy Legree and Devin Taylor at Beaufort High.

Andrew Clifford

QB | 6-3, 215, Wharton HS (Tampa, Fla.)

Passed for more than 3,700 yards and 30 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Wharton. ... Considered 125th-best quarterback prospect in the country by Scout.com. ... Participated in the EA Sports regional Elite 11 quarterback camp at the University of Alabama. ... Also had offers from Liberty, Charleston Southern and several Division II schools.

Matt Coffee

LB | 5-11, 210, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Fla.

Played on both sides of the ball at Fort Walton Beach High School. Sustained a season-ending knee injury in the second game of his senior season. Junior season was limited to season’s final five games due to illness. Still finished with 55 tackles and an interception, while rushing 74 times for 364 yards and four touchdowns. Considered 19th-best “athlete” in the country, ranked as 57th-best player in Florida by Rivals.com. Considered nation’s 39th-best strongside linebacker according to Scout.com. ... brother of Alabama running back Glen Coffee. ... Had offers from Mississippi, Mississippi State, N.C. State and Maryland.

Justice Cunningham

TE | 6-3, 242, Central HS (Pageland)

Earned first-team all-state honors as a tight end by The State. ... Selected to play in 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. ... Regarded as nation’s 112th-best defensive end by Scout.com. Considered the state’s 21st-best player by SuperPrep.

Josh Dickerson

LB | 6-2, 217, Georgia Military

Played in eight games for Georgia Military, posting 30 tackles, 3 sacks and a fumble recovery. ... Considered 41st-best junior college prospect in the country by Rivals.com and 47th-best by SuperPrep. ... Had offers from Mississippi, Tennessee, Minnesota, East Carolina and West Virginia. Graduated from Camden County High School in Kingsland, Ga.

Aldrick Fordham

DL | 6-4, 234, Timberland HS (Jamestowm)

Two-way performer and a three-year starter at Timberland High School. Earned first-team all-state honors by The State after his senior season. ... Racked up 11 sacks and 83 tackles including 13 for loss. Played tight end in the North-South All-Star Game. Rated as 47th-best rush end in the country and the 25th-best prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com. Considered nation’s 15th-best defensive end according to Scout.com. Considered the state’s 22nd-best player by SuperPrep. ... Turned down an offer from Tennessee.

Jarvis Giles

RB | 5-11, 176, Gaither HS (Tampa, Fla.)

January enrollee at USC. ... Rushed for more than 1,500 yards as a senior. ... Selected to participate in Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando, Fla. ... Rated as No. 22 player in the state of Florida and No. 3 all-purpose back by Rivals.com. ... Considered nation’s 35th-best running back by Scout.com. Considered the state’s 29th-best player by SuperPrep. Ranked 53rd on ESPNU 150. ... Selected USC over original commitment to Tennessee and Nebraska.

Stephon Gilmore

DB | 6-2, 181, South Pointe HS (Rock Hill)

Enrolled at USC in January. ... Earned first-team all-state honors by The State as a senior. ... Named to Parade All-America team and was a first-team All-American by EA Sports. ... Named Mr. Football for the state of South Carolina. ... Helped his team to 15-0 record and South Carolina 4A Division II title as a senior. ... Rushed for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns and passed for 1,771 yards with 14 scores.. ... Played quarterback in the 72nd Shrine Bowl Game of the Carolinas. ... Selected to participate in the Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando, Fla. ... Was the second-best prospect in South Carolina, the nation’s sixth-best “athlete” and listed 84th overall by Rivals.com. Considered nation’s 26th-best cornerback according to Scout.com. Listed first among South Carolina players and 48th among SuperPrep’s Elite 50. Ranked 18th on the ESPNU 150. ... Had offers from more than 30 programs.

Chaun Gresham

LB | 6-3, 205, Apalachee HS (Auburn, Ga.)

Recorded a team-leading 96 tackles including 16 tackles for loss as a senior. ... Rated as 55th-best outside linebacker in the nation and the 64th-best prospect in Georgia by Rivals.com. The nation’s 35th-best strongside linebacker according to Scout.com. ... Nephew of USC Heisman winner George Rogers.. ... Had offers from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Clemson; originally committed to Georgia Tech.

Devonte Hollowman

DB | 6-2, 210, South Pointe HS (Rock Hill)

Enrolled at USC in January. ... Transferred to South Pointe for his senior season. Named first-team all-state by The State. ... Selected to participate in Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando, Fla., and the North-South game. ... Regarded as top player in North Carolina as a junior at Charlotte’s Independence High. ... Rated the 10th-best outside linebacker in the nation and seventh-best prospect in South Carolina by Rivals.com. Nation’s second-best safety according to Scout.com. Considered the state’s sixth-best player by SuperPrep. Ranked 19th on the ESPNU 150. ... Picked USC over Clemson, North Carolina, LSU and Tennessee. ... Played with 2009 Gamecock signees Stephon Gilmore and Charles Holmes at South Pointe.

Charles Holmes

WR | 6-3, 190, South Pointe HS (Rock Hill)

Caught 47 passes for 890 yards and six touchdowns. Was a second-team all-state selection by The State. ... Led the North squad with eight catches for more than 100 yards at the North-South All-Star Game. ... Considered nation’s 160th-best wide receiver according to Scout.com. Considered state’s 20th-best player by SuperPrep. Played with 2009 Gamecock signees Stephon Gilmore and DeVonte Holloman at South Pointe.

Alshon Jeffery

WR | 6-3, 217, Calhoun County HS (St. Matthews)

Two-way player. Named first-team all-state by The State as a defensive back. ... Caught 35 passes for 740 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. Averaged 65 yards on kickoff returns and 35 yards on punt returns with three touchdowns. Totaled 50 tackles on defense. ... Selected to compete in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and in the Under Armour All-American game. ... Ranked 99th on Rivals.com top 100 list. Considered nation’s 13th-best wide receiver and fourth-best player in South Carolina by the Web site. Is 22nd-best wide receiver in the nation according to Scout.com. Considered 74th-best player in the nation by PrepStar. Considered fourth-best player in South Carolina by SuperPrep. Ranked 103rd on the ESPNU 150. Originally committed to Southern California and also considered Tennessee. Had offers from Florida, Kentucky and Florida State.

Damario Jeffery

DB | 6-4, 215, Columbia HS (Columbia)

Senior season was cut short by torn ACL. ... Selected to play in Under Armour All-American Game but was unable to participate due to injury. ... Rated seventh-best “athlete,” the 87th-best player in the nation and a four-star prospect by Rivals.com. Was third-best prospect in South Carolina, according to the Web site. Considered nation’s 10th-best weakside linebacker by Scout.com. Considered state’s fifth-best player by SuperPrep. ... Ranked 43rd on the ESPNU 150. ... Turned down offers from Southern California, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and North Carolina to sign with the Gamecocks.. ... Hgh school teammate of Gamecock signee Chris Payne. ... Runs a 4.5 40 with a 34-inch vertical leap.

Jimmy Legree

DB | 6-0, 170, Beaufort HS (Beaufort)

Three-year starter at Beaufort High School. ... Named the 2008 Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet Defensive Player of the Year. ... Played cornerback, quarterback receiver, kick returner and tailback during his prep career. ... As a senior, had threeinterceptions, four blocked kicks, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. ... Selected to play in 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Considered state’s 32nd-best player by Rivals.com and 26th-best player by SuperPrep. Considered Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Clemson and Maryland before choosing Carolina. ... High school teammate of Gamecocks Duane Chisolm and Devin Taylor.

Leon Mackey

DL | 6-6, 260, Hargrave Military

Spent 2008 campaign at Hargrave Military, where he was considered a four-star prospect by Scout.com. Considered ninth-best prep school player in the country by Rivals.com. ... Selected USC after committing to Clemson and turning down offers from Virginia Tech, Arkansas and North Carolina. ... Was a standout at Christina High School in Delaware before transferring to Hargrave Military for his senior season. ... Originally signed with Virginia Tech but failed to qualify academically.

Chris Payne

DB | 5-10, 173, Columbia HS (Columbia)

Sustained a season-ending ankle injury about halfway through his senior season. Had surgery to repair a broken bone and ligament damage. ... Considered 30th-best safety in the nation, 16th-best prospect in South Carolina and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. Was nation’s 67th-best safety according to Scout.com. Considered state’s 17th-best player by SuperPrep. Ranked 85th on the ESPNU 150. ... Was the first commitment to the 2009 recruiting class. ... Had offers from Clemson, Michigan State, North Carolina and Oklahoma. ... High school teammate of Gamecock signee DaMario Jeffery.

Lamar Scruggs

WR | 6-3, 212, Duncan U. Fletcher HS (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

Logged more than 800 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 38 receptions as a senior. ... Helped his team to its first undefeated regular season in school history. ... Was a North/South All-Star selection. ... Considered 46th-best wide receiver in the country and 59th-best player in Florida by Rivals.com. Considered nation’s 54th-best wide receiver by Scout.com. ... Had offers from Florida, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Steven Singleton

OL | 6-3, 300, Georgia Military

Graduated from Buford (Ga.) High School in 2006. Earned first-team all-state honors as a senior and was named to Atlanta Journal Constitution Super Southern 100. ... Originally signed with LSU.

Deangelo Smith

WR | 6-0, 170, Camden County HS, Kingsland, Ga.

Played in a Wing-T offense. Helped his squad to the Georgia Class 5A state title. ... Considered 249th-best wide receiver in the nation and a two-star prospect by Scout.com. ... Selected USC over offers from Indiana and East Carolina.

Quin Smith

LB | 6-0, 205, Hibriten HS, Lenoir, N.C.

Two-way player at Hibriten High School. As a fullback, he rushed 233 times for 1,580 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior, including a 238-yard effort in the state playoffs. ... Averaged 17 tackles per game with six interceptions and two sacks playing outside linebacker and strong safety. ... Selected to play in 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.. ... Considered 59th-best safety in the nation according to Scout.com. Is the 28th-best player in North Carolina and 88th-best outside linebacker in the nation according to Rivals.com. ... Had an offer from East Carolina, with Duke and Navy in the mix.

Tony Straughter

LB | 6-0, 215, Georgia Military

Racked up 44.5 tackles on the season for Georgia Military, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.. ... Named to first-team JC Gridwire All-America team. ... Had 10 tackles including three for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against Mississippi Gulf Community College in the Mississippi Bowl, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors. ... Considered 11th-best junior college player in the country by Rivals.com. Regarded as 34th-best junior college player in the country according to SuperPrep. ... Had offers from East Carolina, Mississippi, TCU, Tennessee and West Virginia. ... Graduated from Madison County High School in Florida in 2007.

Chaz Sutton

DL | 6-4 236, Fork Union Military

Considered the 10th-best prep school prospect in the country. ... Played on both sides of the ball at Jenkins High School in Savannah, Ga. ... Originally signed with the Gamecocks in February 2008.

D.J. Swearinger

DB | 5-11 196, Greenwood HS (Greenwood)

Two-way starter at Greenwood High. ... Rushed for 904 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior quarterback and caught 20 passes for 210 yards as a receiver. ... Logged 77 tackles, broke up eight passes and caused two fumbles as a safety. ... A second-team all-state selection by The State. ... Considered 20th-best safety in the nation and 14th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina by Rivals.com. The nation’s 176th-best safety according to Scout.com. Considered the state’s ninth-best player by SuperPrep. ... Originally committed to Tennessee and had an offer from North Carolina.

Rokevious Watkins

OL | 6-4 340, Fairburn, Ga., Georgia Military

Graduated from Creekside High School in Georgia. ... Paved way for a Bulldogs rushing attack that posted more than 180 rushing yards a game. on the ground.. ... Considered the 26th-best junior college player in the country according to SuperPrep. ... Also had offer from UAB.