Kornblut: LB Daniel set to reveal decision
LINEBACKER Kash Daniel of Paintsville, Ky., who has narrowed his decision to USC, Kentucky and Louisville has made his decision, but won’t reveal it until a news conference at his high school gym around noon on July 4.
“Yes sir, I know in my mind where I want to go to school,” Daniel said. Daniel was in Lexington, Ky., last Thursday to appear on a radio show. While in town he visited with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. Daniel also talked with USC recruiters Kirk Botkin and Steve Spurrier Jr. He attended USC’s Showcase camp last Saturday. He said he will not take any more visits prior to his announcement.
Defensive back Marlon Character of Atlanta has not been able to make it to USC this month, but that hasn’t hurt the Gamecocks’ position with him. Previously, Character had the Gamecocks and Virginia Tech tied at the top of his list. He said he will visit USC within the next two weeks and a commitment is possible on that visit. Character has been to Alabama, Georgia and Louisville for camps, and visited Auburn Thursday. He plans to take another visit to Virginia Tech before he makes his decision.
Offensive lineman Parker Boudreaux of Orlando, who has been listed with more than 70 offers, now has his list down to Clemson, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Florida and Georgia Southern. Boudreaux plans to make his decision at the end of summer before his senior season.
Wide receiver Kelvin Harmon of Palmyra, N.J., camped at USC and has the Gamecocks in his top six. The other five are North Carolina, Temple, Rutgers, West Virginia and N.C. State. “I had connections with the coaches and I really liked the programs,” Harmon said of his six favorites. He plans to take official visits before making a decision and USC will receive one. Harmon talked with his Gamecock recruiter G.A. Mangus on Wednesday. “He was telling me stuff about South Carolina and how I can have a future there,” Harmon said. “I really liked it (at camp). Coach Spurrier Jr. is a good coach and I have a good connection with Coach Mangus. And I have a really good connection with (quarterback commitment) Brandon McIlwain.” Harmon has also been to camps at Rutgers, North Carolina and N.C. State. He said he might take visits to some schools not in his top six this summer but doubt the six will change.
Linebacker Jeremiah Moon of Hoover, Ala., was offered by Florida over the weekend on a visit. The previous weekend he was at USC for a camp followed by a visit to Mississippi State. Those three SEC schools are at the top of his list. Moon’s camp experience at USC was his second look at the school and the program after attending a junior day in January. Moon also has offers from Minnesota, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Louisville. There are a few things he’s considering as he works on his decision which he might have in a couple of weeks.
Linebacker PJ Blue (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) of Montgomery, Ala., wasn’t able to make it to USC camps earlier this month, but he hopes to get to the campus later in the summer. Right now he has the Gamecocks and Ole Miss at the top of his list. “I really like South Carolina, but I’ve never been,” Blue said. Clemson, Nebraska, Missouri, Troy, Southern Miss, Kentucky, Louisville and Alabama are among his other offers. Ole Miss has been his only visit this month. Grady Brown, who knows Blue’s parents, originally recruited him for the Gamecocks but now he’s talking with linebackers coach Kirk Botkin. Blue said he wants to make his decision later this summer after he takes more visits.
Offensive lineman Will Putnam of Harrisburg, N.C., visited Virginia Tech Thursday and North Carolina on Saturday night. After attending USC’s Showcase camp, Putnam said he favored the Gamecocks. He plans to visit USC again before making a decision. UNC will also factor into his decision if he gets an offer.
One of the top talents at USC’s recent Showcase camp was defensive end Ron Johnson of Camden, N.J. The highly recruited Johnson holds offers from USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona State, Missouri, Rutgers and others. “I plan to release my top five like July 20ish,” Johnson said, adding the Gamecocks will make the cut.
USC last week offered offensive lineman Garett Bolles of Snow JC, Utah. He is a national recruit with offers from many of the Power Five Conference teams.
Offensive lineman Lloyd Cushenberry of Geismar, La., was offered by USC Sunday, his 14th offer.
Tight end Charlie Woerner of Tiger, Ga., has Clemson, Georgia, Alabama and Oregon as his top schools right now.
Offensive lineman target Luke Elder of LaGrange, Ga., who had been targeted by USC, committed to North Carolina on Saturday night.
Defensive back Devron Davis of Merced JC, Calif., committed to Colorado State. He also has a USC offer and said he will take more official visits, including one to USC.
Defensive back Mark Gilbert of Fayetteville, N.C., committed to Duke. He also has an offer from USC.
Wide receiver Josh Wilkes of South Pointe committed to Eastern Michigan.
Offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum of Powder Springs, Ga., has his list down to Clemson, Boston College, Georgia, Colorado, Nebraska, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Missouri.
2017 defensive back William Poole III of Hapeville, Ga., visited Clemson on Wednesday.
Clemson offered 2017 linebacker Levi Draper of Collinsville, Okla., last week.
Basketball
Jalen Johnson of Durham, N.C., was offered by Clemson last Monday, one day after making a visit with Brad Brownell. The Tigers join Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State, George Washington, Radford, High Point and Gardner-Webb as offers for Johnson who averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season. Johnson visited Virginia on Friday. He does not have any favorites at this point.
First year Citadel coach Duggar Baucom signed 6-5 Qwandell Newton of Naples, Fla., 6-3 Derrick Henry who is transferring from Winthrop for his final season of eligibility as a graduate student, and 6-6 Cager Hicks of Salem, Va.
Baseball
New Clemson baseball coach Monte Lee wasted little time in landing his first commitment for the Tigers. Left-handed pitcher Mat Clark (6-0 160) of Hilton Head committed to the Tigers on Saturday night. Clark had been committed to the College of Charleston, Lee’s former team. He also had offers from Furman, Charleston Southern and Liberty and drew interest from Clemson and Florida. Clark has earned all-state honors each of the past three seasons. Clark is Clemson’s seventh commitment for the 2016 class.
The Tigers will not hold on to one of their 2015 signees. Catcher Cal Raleigh of Sylva, N.C., was granted a release from his letter of intent after Jack Leggett was fired. He told TheClemsonInsider.com on Saturday he will not re-sign with Clemson because he had wanted to play for Leggett.