Gamecocks looking to snag former Georgia commitment

South Carolina beat Georgia on the field this season, and now the Gamecocks are in position to land a former Bulldogs commitment. RB Martin Ward (5-10, 190) of Jonesboro, Ga., backed off a commitment to Georgia several weeks ago and is now favoring the Gamecocks.

"They are up and coming and they work hard," Ward said. "The players and coaches have a good relationship. I'd like to be part of it with Spurrier."

Ward is scheduled to make his official visit for Thursday night's game against Kentucky. He also plans to visit Louisville while Clemson, Florida, North Carolina, Purdue, Ole Miss, Marshall and Memphis also interest him Last season, Ward rushed for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns.

WR D.L. Moore (6-5, 188) of Bowling Green, Ky., made his official visit to South Carolina over the weekend. He also has visited Colorado and plans to visit Nebraska and Purdue.

Pelion OL Dalton Freeman (6-6, 265) made an official visit to Colorado over the weekend. He also has trimmed his list to a final team of Clemson, South Carolina, Penn State, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia Tech and Virginia. He also has visited Penn State and will visit Florida State for the weekend of the Miami game.

OL Steven Robinson (6-3, 305) of Tallahassee, Fla., said last week he currently favors South Carolina. He made an unofficial visit to Columbia for the S.C. State game.

"I loved it, I just liked the environment," he said.

He plans to set official visits with South Carolina, South Florida and Central Florida. He claims offers from Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, Iowa State and Minnesota.

OL R.J. Mattes (6-7, 285) of Concord, N.C., made an unofficial visit to South Carolina for the Mississippi State. He actually was scheduled to make an official visit to Virginia, but is rescheduling that visit. He will also set officials with South Carolina, Clemson, N.C. State and North Carolina. He does not have a favorite.

Miami commitment LB Lerentee McCray (6-2, 205) of Dunnellon, Fla., has not cut of his recruiting and will visit LSU on Oct. 19. He talked with Steve Spurrier last week and is considering a visit to South Carolina. He's also looking at Wisconsin and Tennessee along with Miami for visits.

WR O'Neil Chambers (6-3, 205) of St. Cloud, Fla., made an official visit to Purdue over the weekend. He is scheduled for BYU in January and also plans to set up South Carolina. Other possible visits are Maryland, LSU and Georgia.

Hartsville WR Jordan Lyles (6-4, 205) is emerging as a prospect by virtue of a big senior season. Lyles did not play football as a junior and so far this season he is among the state's leaders with 38 catches for 729 yards and 15 touchdowns. South Carolina is interested and he planned to make an unofficial visit Saturday. His coach is in the process of getting tape out to other schools. Lyles was all state as a junior in basketball and baseball.

TE Dwayne Allen (6-4, 240) of Fayetteville, N.C., was scheduled for an unofficial visit to South Carolina on Saturday. He has been committed to Georgia, but is checking out other schools including Clemson, North Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech. He plans to make an unofficial visit to Clemson for this weekend's game.

Myrtle Beach LB Bruce Taylor (6-2, 230), a Virginia Tech commitment, took in the South Carolina game Saturday with some friends and might travel to Clemson this weekend for the Virginia Tech game. He remains a firm Hokie commitment.

Greenville DL Arterio Arnold (6-3, 270) was scheduled for an unofficial visit to South Carolina on Saturday. Arnold has not been offered by the Gamecocks but he has offers from Kentucky, Maryland, Marshall and Newberry.

Calhoun County DE Donte Rumph (6-4, 250) has an offer from Kentucky and Tennessee appears close to offering. Clemson is interested and South Carolina has requested tape.

The Saints have two juniors drawing major interest. WR Alshoun Jeffrey (6-4, 220), who also is a major basketball prospect, has offers from South Carolina and Kentucky. The Wildcats have told him he can play for their hoops team. And ATH David Sims also is drawing interest from South Carolina and Kentucky. He plays quarterback and defensive back.

RB Terrell Colston (5-10, 185) of Lakeland, Fla., is looking to visit South Carolina for the Florida weekend. The Gamecocks have not yet offered but Michigan State, Purdue, Indiana, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky, Troy and Georgia Southern have.

JL Mann DB J.T. Floyd (6-0, 185) has been a soft Tennessee commitment, and now Michigan has come on strong with him.

"They are near the top," Floyd said.

He will make an official visit to Ann Arbor on Nov. 16. He also plans to set officials with Tennessee, Maryland and N.C. State and is looking at South Carolina and North Carolina for his final visit. Floyd's uncle Norman played at South Carolina, and his uncle Mike Jones played at CA Johnson, N.C. State and in the NFL.

DB Spencer Adams (6-2, 180) of Matthews, N.C., has made an official visit to Michigan and has set an official with Florida for Nov. 23. He will also set dates with Clemson and North Carolina, and he's looking at South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Rutgers for his final visit. Adams says Clemson is still strong with him, and a school's track program will be a major factor in his decision.

ATH Evan Landi (6-3, 200) of Coral Springs, Fla., says two of his official visits will be South Carolina and South Florida. He also has offers from Louisiana Lafayette, Akron, Florida International and Florida Atlantic. He's also hearing from Rutgers, Minnesota, Auburn and North Carolina. South Carolina likes him as a receiver.

Clemson and South Carolina are among the many offers for DB Karnell Hatcher (6-2, 190) of Delray Beach, Fla. Some of his others are Michigan, Miami, West Virginia, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia and Georgia Tech. He visited Michigan for the Notre Dame game and he's undecided on his other visits.

South Carolina will get an official visit from DL Taylor Loftley (6-2, 255) of Chamblee, Ga. He also has strong interest in Vanderbilt, Duke and Central Florida.

DB Lynell Payne (6-3, 210) of Marlton, N.J., has an official visit with Clemson set for this weekend's game with Virginia Tech. He visited Connecticut this past weekend and also has visited Cincinnati. He also has offers from Iowa, Temple, Delaware and Akron.

LSU commitment DL Cordian Hagans (6-6, 290) of Duluth, Ga., plans to visit USC along with LSU and North Carolina.

"It's not over until we sign and you never know what might happen," Hagans said.

DE Michael McAdoo (6-7, 218) plans to visit South Carolina, for the Vanderbilt weekend. He also plans to set up North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

ATH Sanders Commings Jr. (6-2, 195) of Augusta made an unofficial visit to South Carolina on Saturday, the third he's made with the Gamecocks. He hopes to make a decision this week with South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Georgia Tech his finalists.

LB J.B. Shippy (5-11, 200) of Gaffney made an unofficial visit to Liberty Saturday along with two of is teammates.

South Carolina added its 11th commitment last week in LB Reggie Bowens (6-2, 218) of Garner, N.C. He also had offers from Clemson, North Carolina, East Carolina, Appalachian State and Marshall.

Clemson target RB Onterio McCallebb (5-11, 172) of Fort Meade, Fla., committed to West Virginia last week after making an official visit to Morgantown.

South Carolina target LB Malcolm Munroe (6-3, 215) of Miami committed to Georgia Tech over the weekend while on an official visit.

DE Quinton Coples (6-6, 240) of Hargrave Prep, Va., cut his list last week to Tennessee, North Carolina, N.C. State and Florida State eliminating Clemson and South Carolina among others.

Basketball news

6-8 Darius Morrow of Decatur, Ga., made an official visit to South Carolina over the weekend. He also has visited Fordham and will visit Cincinnati this weekend. He also has offers from Toledo, Providence, UAB and the College of Charleston.

6-8 Neil Duval of Southlake, Texas, committed to Furman and 6-8 Bryan Narcisse of North Augusta committed to Western Kentucky.

Baseball news

South Carolina added more commitments for 2008 and 2009. Planning to sign with the Gamecocks next month are LHP Grimes Medlin of Young Harris JC, Ga., RHP Eric Broberg of Seminole JC, Fla., C Justin Dalles of St. Petersburg, Fla., OF Jackie Bradley of Prince George, Va. and 3B Nick Ebert of Central Florida JC. For the '09 class the Gamecocks have picked up INF/OF Wil Myers of High Point, N.C.

Clemson also picked up an '09 commitment from LHP/OF Will Lamb of York, Va.