Football recruits still making way to campus

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON — Clemson’s football signing class has made it into school relatively intact.

Sixteen freshmen have reported to campus and are enrolled in the second session of summer school, school spokesman Tim Bourret confirmed Monday. All but two of the Tigers’ 25 signees have met NCAA Clearinghouse initial qualifying standards.

Xavier Brewer, a cornerback from Bartram Trail High in Jacksonville, Fla., is taking one more summer school course but is expected to be available when practice begins Aug. 1.

In May, junior college defensive lineman Jarrett Crittenton was released from his letter of intent and signed with Memphis upon learning he would not be admitted to Clemson for making another D in a class.

Six of Clemson’s signees enrolled in January. Quarterback Jon Richt arrived for the first summer school session.

Clay update. One veteran not on campus is linebacker Antonio Clay, who might pursue a transfer in order to expedite a return to the field.

Clay went home to Jeffersonville, Ga., to seek treatment after a recurrence of depression stemming from his sister’s sudden death before the 2006 season.

Clay had planned to return as a student this summer and redshirt during the upcoming season with an eye on rejoining the team for the 2009 season.

Patriot act. Former Clemson outfielder Alex Lee has decided to transfer to Francis Marion. Lee, a Blythewood High graduate, picked the Division II Patriots over College of Charleston in part to avoid having to sit out a year per the NCAA’s new baseball transfer rules.

Another transfer, sophomore second baseman J.D. Burgess, has committed to North Georgia.

Names in the news. Four football players are among the 75 preseason candidates for the Maxwell Award, awarded to the nation’s top player: running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, quarterback Cullen Harper and receiver Aaron Kelly. ... Safety Michael Hamlin and defensive end Ricky Sapp were announced as candidates for the Bednarik Award, which goes to the top defensive player. ... Designated hitter Kyle Parker was named to Baseball America’s freshman All-American team. ... A trial date has yet to be set for dismissed linebacker Cortney Vincent, who was charged with DUI in December. Vincent, an Allendale native with one year of eligibility remaining, is considering transferring to a Division II program in South Carolina or Georgia.