John Simpson keeping close eye on USC
Offensive lineman John Simpson of Fort Dorchester High visited South Carolina for the Kentucky game and kept a close eye on the action on the field.
“Offensive line-wise, I think they did very good,” Simpson said. “They created a lot of holes. I feel like Coach Elliott is one of the best coaches recruiting me. I think the only reason they lost that game was play calling. They ran the ball all the way down the field and then they started passing it.”
Simpson’s next unofficial visit will be to Clemson for the Notre Dame game Oct. 3. His top seven remains the same with no leader: USC, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and LSU. Simpson is still planning an announcement at the Army All American game and does not plan to graduate early.
▪ Defensive end Jachai Polite of Daytona Beach, Fla., has not taken any unofficial visits for games yet, but he plans to eventually. The five schools he plans to see on official visits are USC, Tennessee, Miami, Auburn and Florida. Polite said USC recruiter Steve Spurrier Jr. is in touch daily with messages and is recruiting him hard.
“He said I remind him of Melvin Ingram,” Polite said. “I like how they are rebuilding, and I like their schemes. I haven’t really watched them this year but I watched them a lot last year.”
Polite has never been to USC, but he has seen Miami and Florida in the past. He doesn’t have a favorite and won’t make a decision until after the season.
▪ USC 2017 QB target Jake Fromm of Warner Robins, Ga., visited Alabama on Saturday. He was at USC for the Kentucky game.
▪ 2018 linebacker Xavier Thomas of Wilson visited USC for the Kentucky game. He plans to attend the Notre Dame at Clemson game and then will re-evaluate his favorites list.
Basketball
USC coaches Frank Martin and Matt Figger met with 6-10 center Sedee Keita of Philadelphia last week at his school in Putnam, Ct., and were able to get the big man scheduled for an official visit for Oct. 10.
“They told me I’m a good fit and want me to take an official,” Keita said. “Coach Martin talked to me about having coached Michael Beasley and the big men he’s coached at South Carolina.”
Keita has been to USC before attending some football games last year while living in Greenville. He also plans to take official visits to Providence and Temple. He’s not sure when he’ll make his decision.
▪ USC last week had an in-home visit with 2016 point guard 6-2 Maliek White of Wytheville, Va. He has over 20 offers, but USC has not yet offered.
▪ Class of 2017 Melo Eggleston (6-8) of Baltimore picked up a USC offer last week.