USC edges ahead of UGA, Clemson for Jordan Smith
USC has moved past Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee and Florida as the current favorite for defensive end Jordan Smith of Lithonia, Ga. Smith attended USC's Showcase camp in June but at that time declared Clemson as his leader.
But since then USC has kept up the pressure on Smith who plans a return visit to Columbia Friday for the recruit pool party.
"There's just something that I like about South Carolina," Smith said. "I like the new facilities and stuff that they have. I like Coach Ward and I like Coach Deke (Adams), and I love Coach Spurrier."
With USC freshly branded as his leader and a trip to Columbia upcoming, time would seem right for a possible commitment from Smith. But he's not ready to go that far just yet.
"They're number one but I'm still trying to decide," Smith said. "I'm going to be committing soon but I don't know how soon. It's like neck and neck (with Georgia). South Carolina has got that one up. At any given time Georgia could go one up, so it's not that big of a lead. Clemson could, too and so could Florida."
After USC on Smith's list are Georgia, Clemson, Florida and Tennessee in order. He said the other four schools continue to recruit him hard but just not at the level of the Gamecocks right now, and that's why they overcame the lead Clemson held in late June.
"I feel like South Carolina started recruiting me more and they started showing a lot more interest," Smith said. "I'd love to play for an SEC team."
Smith was at Georgia last Saturday night for Dawg Night and he doesn't have any more visits planned after USC this weekend. He said his next visits will be his official visits. He said his head coach probably will come in with him on his visit to USC.
Other Notes
▪ Offensive lineman Ashton Julious of Florence and Lackawanna JC, PA does not think he'll make USC's pool party family this weekend but hopes for a return visit to USC before going back to school. He's been in touch with offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. He also talked recently with TCU. His top schools remain the same...USC, Baylor, Oklahoma and NC State with no favorite.
▪ Linebacker Kenneth Ruff of Fort Lauderdale will not be able to attend USC's gathering on Friday. The Gamecocks remains his big leader and will be his first official visit in September. He also wants to take official visits to Clemson, Kentucky, Louisville and NC State. In July Ruff has visited Kentucky, Louisville, Kent State, Akron and Cincinnati.
▪ Defensive end Jordan Woods of Citra, FL will not make it to USC this weekend. He talked recently with Steve Spurrier, Steve Spurrier Jr. and Jon Hoke. His top six remains the same with no leader...USC, West Virginia, Louisville, Florida, Miami and Tennessee. He wants to commit before the season probably on the same day as teammate WR Freddie Swain.
▪ Wide receiver Kelvin Harmon of Palmyra, NJ will attend USC's pool bash this Friday. Harmon said he is not in a position to consider a commitment at this time. He still has the same top six of USC, Rutgers, North Carolina, NC State, West Virginia and Temple. He has not visited anywhere since attending USC's camp in late June. Harmon plans to have a decision in October and said there is no leader.
▪ Laurens Defensive back Thomas Jones visited Notre Dame on Tuesday. He was offered by the Irish last month and was very excited to get that offer. Some of his other offers are USC, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Duke and Louisville. He visited USC in the spring.
This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 9:29 AM.