Alabama defender on commitment watch with Gamecocks in lead

P.J. Blue of Montgomery, Ala., was not able to make it to the University of South Carolina's camp in June but he plans to be at the one on July 25, and a commitment to the Gamecocks at that time is possible.

"South Carolina is my top school," Blue said. "They have me as a top priority and they want me to play safety, which is my preferred position, so I feel like I could possibly come in and fill a big need for them."

Blue (6-2, 210) is going to Alabama July 23 and he's also considering Ole Miss. On a scale of one to ten, Blue rated USC's lead on the others as "six, but with the way I am, it could change at any moment."

So, right now Blue is the Gamecocks' to lose.

"Yeah, I guess you could put it like that," Blue confirmed.

Other football notes

▪  The Gamecocks missed on offensive lineman Jordan Johnson of Jacksonville when he committed to Georgia Tech Wednesday morning. USC had recruited Johnson early and hard and had always been listed among his favorites. He attended the spring game and a camp last month in Columbia.

▪  At The Opening Wednesday, RB Elijah Holyfield of Atlanta and WR Kyle Davis of Decatur, Ga., released a top ten list, and USC made both. Holyfield has a top 10 of USC, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Louisville, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Tennessee and Southern Cal. The top 10 for Davis, a former USC commitment, is USC, Auburn, Cal, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Neither top 10 is in order.

Basketball note:

▪  Seventh Woods of Hammond said in an interview with Rivals at the Under Armour All American Camp in Charlotte refuted reports that he is primarily focused on USC and North Carolina. Woods also identified Florida, Kansas and Georgetown as others he's considering at this point.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 9:55 AM.