Monday, Jul. 07, 2008

Gamecocks, Tigers race for Indy QB

CLEMSON AND USC are in the final eight with quarterback Morgan Newton (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) of Indianapolis. He also has Indiana, Purdue, Kentucky, Illinois, Florida and Miami on his list.

This summer Newton has visited Illinois, Purdue, Kentucky and Indiana, and he plans to get to Florida and Miami later this month. He visited Clemson and USC in the spring. Newton said Clemson and Florida are showing the strongest interest right now.

Clemson also made the cut with running back Lonnie Pryor (6-1, 195) of Okeechobee, Fla., along with Florida State, LSU, Florida, Georgia and Auburn. Florida State is his leader with LSU second, but Clemson will get a chance to impress Pryor this week when he makes a swing through LSU, Georgia, Florida State and Clemson.

Linebacker Daniel Mack (6-0, 198) of Miami made an unofficial visit to Clemson on Thursday while on his way to visit family in Holly Hill. Clemson is one of his top schools along with Boston College, Wake Forest, Central Florida and West Virginia. He also has an offer from USC.

Athlete Justin Wray (6-2, 205) of Covington, Ga., attended Clemson’s camp in June and continues drawing interest from the Tigers as a safety. He has an offer from Central Florida.

Defensive end Anthony Orr (6-5, 260) of Harvest, Ala., is looking at a possible visit to USC this month. He has camped at Auburn and Alabama, and also is looking to visit Tennessee and LSU. USC and Clemson are among his offers, and he is interested in both. Orr also has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Central Florida, Mississippi State and UAB.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson offensive lineman Thomas Hart (6-4, 290) has not been to any camps this summer but might get to one at USC this month. Hart has not been offered but feels USC is close. Recruiters want to evaluate Hart early in his senior season since he missed all of his junior season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Greer tight end Desmond Parks (6-6, 215) is favoring Florida after landing offers from the Gators and Clemson late last month. He camped at both schools in June and plans to return to both this month. Parks, who says he grew up a USC fan, might visit USC this month. Parks also has offers from North Carolina, Presbyterian and Western Carolina.

Wide receiver Jamal Patterson (6-3, 200) of McDonough, Ga., is one of the top prospects who has not cut his list. He has over 40 offers including USC and Clemson, and he is keeping in touch with his recruiters from both. Patterson recently visited Stanford, and he has been to Kentucky. He will visit Oregon, Notre Dame and West Virginia later in the summer. Patterson said he will attend Clemson’s home game against Georgia Tech, and he also plans to take in a game at USC.

Clemson, Auburn and Florida remain the top three with linebacker Corico Hawkins (6-0, 225) of Milledgeville, Ga., with no leader. He plans to take visits to those three, and he will announce a decision on Halloween, his birthday.

Defensive end David Gilbert (6-4, 215) of Oakland Park, Fla., counts USC among his offers, and he cites former USC player John Abraham as his favorite defensive player. Gilbert said he is in regular contact with Gamecocks recruiter Robert Gillespie. Some of his other offers are Louisville, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt.

USC leads for linebacker Jonathan Davis (5-10, 205) of Tucker, Ga., ahead of Georgia, Auburn and Miami. He has visited USC, Florida, Central Florida, Auburn, Alabama and UAB. Clemson also has offered, and he plans to visit there this summer.

Athlete Stephon Gilmore (6-2, 195) of South Ponte is focused on USC, Clemson, Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio State, according to his coach Bobby Carroll.

USC recently offered South Pointe wide receiver Charles Holmes (6-3, 210). He also has offers from Buffalo and Akron, and Southern Cal has inquired about him.

And NC State is close to offering South Pointe linebacker Devin Wherry (6-0, 220). He has offers from S.C. State, Liberty and Western Carolina.

Basketball news. Lakeem Jackson of Arden, N.C., is down to USC and Georgia Tech but is not sure when he’ll make a decision. Jackson’s coach has advised him to go with the Gamecocks. Jackson said he would like to make a commitment before the end of summer.

Pinewood Prep’s Kenny Manigault recently visited Wichita State and was offered. And he feels USC, VCU and Virginia are close on offers. Recruiters plan to watch him in tournaments this month. He is also hearing from the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, Georgia Tech, Georgia, James Madison, Presbyterian and Radford.

Former Memphis reserve guard Doneal Mack is transferring to the University of New Orleans. Clemson was one of the schools he considered.

Stacy Wilson of Mullins has offers from S.C. State, Francis Marion and Coastal Carolina.

Earl Ware and Deion Jones of Ridge View recently signed with USC Salkehatchie.

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