Monday, Nov. 23, 2009

Recruiting: Moses' interest grows away from Virginia

USC IS STRONGLY involved with one of the country's top offensive tackle prospects.

Morgan Moses (6-foot-7, 320 pounds) of Fork Union (Va.) Prep, signed with Virginia last year. But with Al Groh's future with the Cavaliers in doubt, Moses has decided to check his options.

"He sees the writing on the wall," Fork Union coach John Shuman said. "He wants to go to the SEC. We've got five guys at South Carolina, so we're going to try to keep that up."

Moses is close friends with Gamecock commitment Chris Payne, who also is at Fork Union. Moses, a native of Richmond, Va., has set an official visit with USC for Dec. 4. Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia are other schools that Shuman said will be involved.

"He's an elite player," the coach said. "He moves very well and can play multiple positions."

Moses has a chance to finish his academic work at Fork Union in December.

Clemson, which recruited Moses out of high school, also might take a shot. Shuman said Clemson recruiter Andre Powell plans to look at three more of his players: running back Terrance West (6-1, 190) and linebackers David Mackall (6-3, 245) and Lorne Goree (6-1, 210).

Clemson is waiting on word from offensive lineman Max Garcia of Norcross, Ga. He took his official visit to Clemson for the Florida State game and is deciding between the Tigers, Vanderbilt and Maryland.

"In the end, I have to go where my heart is telling me to go," Garcia said. "I just want to go somewhere I am comfortable, somewhere I can get along with the players and coaches, and somewhere with a good journalism school."

Manning defensive back John Fulton will announce his college choice Dec. 17 on ESPNU during the Under Armour All-America game. Fulton, who took an official visit to USC for the Florida game, has been favoring the Gamecocks over Alabama and Florida.

Beaufort linebacker Justin Parker made an unofficial visit to Clemson on Saturday. He made the trip with his coach, former Clemson tight end Mark Clifford, and two junior teammates. Parker met with some of the coaches before the game and talked with coach Dabo Swinney. Parker, who made his official visit to USC for the Florida weekend, plans to be back at USC for the Clemson game. He plans to take an official visit to Clemson before making his decision. He was favoring USC going into the weekend.

Defensive end Adrian Hubbard of Norcross, Ga., made an official visit to Florida State over the weekend and will visit Alabama on Dec. 11. He has already taken an official visit to USC.

Byrnes running back Marcus Lattimore made another unofficial visit to USC for the Florida game and plans to be back for the Clemson game. Because of the multiple unofficial visits to USC and his familiarity with the program and the school, Lattimore is sticking with his plans to not take an official visit with the Gamecocks, according to a source familiar with his thinking. He has taken officials to Auburn and Penn State and will visit Oregon, North Carolina and Georgia in January.

Byrnes defensive lineman Brandon Willis, a Tennessee commitment, took an official visit to UCLA over the weekend. He and teammates defensive end Corey Miller, also a Tennessee commitment, and wide receiver Jazz King made official visits to North Carolina. King also plans to take official visits to Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Florida State commitment defensive end Tavaris Barnes of Jacksonville, Fla., took in the Florida at USC game on an unofficial visit, and he had a meeting with Steve Spurrier before the game.

"He doesn't really press you like a lot of other schools do," Barnes said. "I'm checking them out."

Barnes is also looking at Clemson and plans to set official visits with the Gamecocks and Tigers along with Florida State, North Carolina and Georgia.

Defensive back P.J. Clyburn of Statesville, N.C., has an official visit with USC set for this weekend. He also plans to set officials with Illinois, North Carolina and East Carolina, according to his coach. USC has not yet offered Clyburn, whom they like as a safety. He made an unofficial visit for the Vanderbilt game.

Defensive back Chris Davis of Birmingham, Ala., is set for an official visit to USC this weekend . He also has an official set with Mississippi State for Jan. 15. Davis has offers from USC, UAB and Arkansas State.

Offensive lineman Laurence Gibson of Hargrave (Va.) Prep, has added offers from Auburn, Utah, Memphis and Alabama State. He also has offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Kent State, UTEP, South Alabama and Western Carolina. He was scheduled for an official visit to Boston College over the weekend. He has a trip scheduled for Clemson for Dec. 11.

Gibson's teammate, defensive lineman Josh Watson (6-3, 285), also was scheduled for an official visit to Boston College over the weekend. He is going to Duke on Dec. 4, Clemson on the 11th and North Carolina on the 18th. Watson, who is from Wilmington, was offered by Florida State last week but said that is too far from home.

Wide receiver Ace Sanders of Bradenton, Fla., will set official visits with USC and West Virginia. He is also looking at South Florida, Florida, Georgia and Rutgers.

Clemson commitment athlete Victor Beasley of Adairsville, Ga., has dropped Tennessee from consideration and is now looking at Auburn along with Clemson. He has an official visit set with Auburn for Dec. 11.

Clemson remains in touch with defensive lineman Ainsley Miller of Concord, N.C., but has not yet offered.

"They said they've been reviewing my film and are impressed by what they see," said Miller, who talked with recruiters Dan Brooks and Danny Pearman. West Virginia has been showing increased interest and Miller is expecting an offer from the Mountaineers. He will take an official visit to New Mexico on Dec. 4 and will visit West Virginia the following weekend.

Darlington defensive back Victor Hampton had talked about visiting Tennessee this past weekend, but that trip did not materialize. He still plans to set a visit with the Vols. He took an official visit to USC for the Florida game and plans to be back for the Clemson game.

USC is showing interest in tight end Will Tye (6-3 230) of Salisbury, Conn., and he said he would take an official visit if the Gamecocks offer him. He has offers from Penn State, Florida State, Temple, Wyoming and N.C. State.

Defensive end Darious Cummings of Titusville, Fla., planned to make an unofficial visit to Florida State on Saturday. He plans to be at Florida this Saturday and has an official visit with the Gators set for Dec. 11. He will also take an official to Florida State. Cummings has been committed to the Seminoles. He has taken an official visit to USC. He did not make it to Columbia for the Florida game.

Byrnes wide receiver Torian Richardson has an official visit to Mississippi State scheduled for this weekend. He planned to be at the Georgia game Saturday. Richardson holds offers from East Carolina, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Louisville, Tulane, Kansas State, Syracuse and Michigan State.

Former Blythewood Shrine Bowl quarterback Richard Mounce will resume his football career next season at Charleston Southern. Mounce played baseball at Clemson last year but decided earlier this semester to get back to football. He was named Mr. Football in South Carolina after his senior season.

Basketball. Signings last week:

College of Charleston: Jordan Scott of Darlington; Trent Wiedeman of Atlanta; James Carlton of Winterville, N.C.

Wofford: Josh Corry of Gaffney

USC Aiken: Dejwan Davis of Charlotte

Clemson women: Kelia Shelton of Northwestern

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