Decisions coming up for USC targets Morris, Tuipulotu
Wide receiver Jeriko Morris of Crystal Springs, Miss., made his official visit to South Carolina over the weekend and now will decide if he wants to stick with his commitment to Southern Miss or switch to the Gamecocks.
His coach said Monday that the Gamecocks are very much in the mix.
“I think he’s really kind of conflicted right now,” Crystal Springs High coach Stephen Rice. “I think he’s really confused. He said he had a great time out there. He was impressed with the campus, really liked the dorms, said everybody was real nice.”
Working in USC’s favor is the change in the coaching staff at Southern Miss. New coach Jay Hopson had recruited Morris early for Alcorn State but has not contacted him since getting to Hattiesburg. And Morris’ main recruiter from Southern Miss is not staying.
“I asked Jeriko this morning if he could make a decision, and he said, ‘Coach, I really don’t know,’ ” Rice said. “Right now I think he’s 50-50, on the fence. Last week when he went up there I’d have said South Carolina’s chances are about 20 percent. Right now I’d say it’s about 50-50.”
USC receivers coach Bryan McClendon talked with Rice on Sunday. The plan is for Morris to sign Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
“He talked about going straight JUCO route and looking at his opportunities afterwards,” Rice said. “If we can get him qualified, he can leave after one semester of junior college ball. He’s as good a receiver as out there in the country. He just hasn’t had the exposure.”
Morris played quarterback last season and rushed for 689 yards and seven touchdowns. When he was lined up at receiver, Morris caught 23 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns. He also averaged over 25 yards on kickoff returns and over 21 yards on punt returns.
Tuipulotu faces decision
Nation Ford tight end Hank Tuipulotu made his official visit to BYU over the weekend, a week later than originally planned because of the wintry weather that forced flight cancellations.
Tuipulotu has been committed to the Cougars. He said his visit to Provo was “awesome.”
He has also visited USC officially and he has been talking with running backs coach Bobby Bentley. Despite his commitment to the Cougars still being in place, Tuipulotu can’t say that’s his final decision.
“I am unsure at this point,” he said. “I would say I’m leaning towards BYU since I am still committed.”
Nation Ford has a signing day event scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Whatever Tuipulotu decides, it will be two years before he plays college football because of a Mormon mission he will start later this year.