Gamecocks way out in front for Moore
Offensive lineman TJ Moore of Charlotte was among the 2017 USC targets to attend Gamecocks’ junior day, and he might be among the most likely to commit. Moore said USC is tops on his list – and it’s not really close.
“I just like South Carolina a lot, and it’s close to home,” Moore said. “I like the community and all the people around it. They are a lot further (ahead of the field).”
Moore (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) said North Carolina, N.C. State, Kentucky, Miami and Florida State are other schools of interest to him right now. He’s also hearing from Clemson. He’s planning to visit Penn State and Kentucky as well. He said he’s not ready to make an immediate commitment.
Defensive end Brad Johnson (6-3, 225) of Pendleton has burst on the scene as one of the state’s best for 2017. On Thursday, Johnson went to Georgia Tech for an unofficial visit, and Saturday he went to Wake Forest. This weekend, he’s going to N.C. State. He also was at USC’s junior day and came away with a favorable impression.
Johnson has offers from USC, Wake Forest, Duke, Colorado State and Miami of Ohio. Clemson is also showing interest, but has not yet offered.
Running back Davijuan Dean (5-11, 180) of TL Hanna is an emerging prospect in the state after rushing for 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Old Dominion has offered and USC has taken notice. He attended USC’s junior day, and based on what he was told, he’s expecting the Gamecocks to stay on him.
“Coach (Bobby) Bentley really loves me,” Dean said. “He told me they run the same offense my high school runs, so I’ll already know what to do and know what they expect.”
Dean said his next visit would be to Troy at the end of February and he plans to return to USC on March 19 for a spring practice.
Offensive lineman Summie Carlay (6-5, 280) of Laurens was not well known in recruiting circles until this month when USC coach Will Muschamp gave him his first major offer. Carlay was a tight end who played on the offensive line for the first time as a junior. After reviewing his film, Muschamp and offensive line coach Shawn Elliott concluded he’s SEC material.
“It was great to get down to Columbia and meet with Coach Muschamp and Coach Elliott,” Carlay said. “Both are really intense, yet approachable and easy to talk to. I’m really excited about the offer.”
Offensive lineman Eric Douglas of Charlotte was back at USC for junior day, the latest in a number of stops he’s made in Columbia over the past year. He camped there last summer and has also been to games in Columbia. But this was his first chance to meet with Muschamp and get an idea about the direction of the program.
“The whole experience was great,” Douglas said. “Talking with Coach Muschamp, and seeing the direction he’s taking the team that’s something that’s obviously going to affect my decision. And him just saying how much wanted me kind of resonated with me. They (Muschamp and Shawn Elliott) said that I’m a great player and they wanted me to start up this 2017 class.”
Douglas went to North Carolina on Wednesday and was offered and went to Florida on Saturday. He plans to make his decision within a month or two with USC, Clemson, Florida, North Carolina and N.C. State on his list.
Defensive back Yusuf Corker (6-1, 175) of Stockbridge, Ga., was highly impressed by USC during his visit for junior day. So much, he has USC tied at the top of his list with Wake Forest. He’s got Clemson and Kentucky next on his list, followed by North Carolina and Georgia Tech.
“It was a great visit,” Corker said. “I really liked the coaches. I really liked how they talked about reaching a goal, but it’s not always about reaching the goal, it’s also the journey that you take and the people that you meet on the way there that’s going to be with you the rest of your life because of the relationships that you build. That’s really important and I like that. And they also talked about being a brotherhood, and I liked that.”
Corker plans to make a decision this summer and he is planning to enroll early if possible. Bryan McClendon is his USC recruiter.
Tight end Drake DeIuliis (6-6, 210) of Charlotte attended USC’s junior day and left with an offer in his pocket from Muschamp. The Gamecocks joined Duke, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest as offers for DeIuliis, who was making his first visit to USC.
He has also visited Virginia Tech, Duke, Wake Forest and North Carolina. He does not have a current favorite, and would like to make his decision this summer.
USC quarterback target Jake Bentley of Opelika, Ala., was offered Friday by Nebraska.
2016 defensive end Mykelle McDaniel of Loganville, Ga., has been in recruiting limbo while waiting to take the SAT and/or ACT so he can take official visits. He has now done that, according to Grayson High assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Kenyatta Watson.
McDaniel took an official visit to Mississippi State over the weekend and is scheduled to take an official visit to USC this weekend. McDaniel (6-4, 255) has long been favoring the Gamecocks and has visited USC in the past. He was originally offered by the Spurrier staff.
Baseball
Clemson last week received commitments from catcher Tyler Lancaster of Spartanburg Methodist JC and Mauldin outfielder Bryce Teodosio.
This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 12:34 AM with the headline "Gamecocks way out in front for Moore."