Big week for Clemson and South Carolina

Clemson and South Carolina struck it big last week with the Tigers landing two top football prospects and the Gamecocks one.

Jayron Kearse, a 6-4, 205-pounder player from Fort Myers, Fla., announced he was choosing Clemson over Auburn.

“I chose Clemson because the coaches are genuine people and they care about their athletes,” said Kearse, who committed to Auburn last year but earlier this year he decommitted from the Tigers and committed to Miami.

But after attending camp at Clemson in June, he decommitted from the Hurricanes. Clemson was then high on his list, and after visiting Auburn again late last month, Kearse made up his mind.

Kearse is expected to play safety at Clemson. Kearse gives Clemson 18 commitments for the 2013 class which is expected to max out at 21. He is the nephew of former Florida star and NFL defensive end Jevon Kearse.

Lake Marion receiver Mike Williams went with Clemson over South Carolina.

“I just felt at home,” Williams said. “I felt wanted there. They were telling me the things I wanted to hear.”

Last season, Williams had 64 receptions for 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Defensive back Brendan Langley (5-11, 170) of Marietta, Ga., picked the Gamecocks over Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

“The university is an SEC monster as well as a national contender, and I can’t wait to help them reach another SEC title and even a national title,” Langley said.

The Gamecocks actually came from behind for Langley, who listed Alabama, Tennessee and USC, in that order, as his favorites earlier this summer. Last season, Langley had six interceptions to go along with 60 tackles. He also scored eight touchdowns on offense, three on special teams and two on defense. Langley is USC’s 21st commitment for the 2013 class and the fourth for the secondary.

In other recruiting news:

USC commitment LB Brandon Golson of Georgia Military Junior College continues to put out mix signals about his plans, but his USC option might be closing.

Golson has visited Texas A&M, and last week told an Aggie fan website that he was still considering them and was not totally committed to the Gamecocks. But, he’s told his former high school coach a different story.

“He’s going to shut it down and stay committed,” Calhoun County coach Walt Wilson said last week after talking to Golson. “That’s my indication. The kid is going to Carolina. To go through all he’s gone through, he really wants to go to Carolina.”

RB Derrick Green of Richmond, Va., announced his final six schools last week. Green will continue to consider Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Auburn, Ole Miss and Oregon. Clemson once was a leader for Green, but after the Tigers took a commitment from RB Tyshon Dye, Green dropped Clemson from his list.

RB Greg Bryant of Delray Beach, Fla., has decommitted from Oklahoma and is now focused on USC, Auburn and Georgia.

At one point last month, WR Ky Priester of Snellville, Ga., said he was close to committing to USC. Then he decided to wait until after taking his official visits before making a decision. And now the Gamecocks have company at the top of his list. Priester said N.C. State and USC are his current favorites and he will be visiting both. Priester said he was offered Friday by Louisville but he’s not that interested in the Cardinals. He also has had offers from Georgia, where he once was committed, and Vanderbilt.

OL Gabe Brandner of Heathwood Hall is committed to Duke but still hears from Clemson. After committing to Duke last month, he received an offer from Clemson. He recently visited Duke and said he’s still firm with his pledge.

Two Clemson signees who did not qualify have decided to enroll at other four-year schools instead of trying to get to Clemson through a prep school or junior college. DB Marty Williams plans to attend East Carolina and DL Josh Brown is headed to Marshall. Both have to sit out this season. Clemson’s other non-qualifier, DB Corderea Tandersley, will attend Hargrave Prep and plans to enroll at Clemson in January.

All three of USC’s non-qualifiers are going to a junior college and two will be teammates. DL Carlos Hood and DE Jhaustin Thomas, who are from the Atlanta area, will attend Trinity Junior College in Texas. And OL Joe Harris of Lithonia, Ga., will enroll at Georgia Military Junior College.