Pinewood Prep star Jennings heads hoops prospects for '09

Milton Jennings of Pinewood Prep, a 6-9 junior, is at the head of the class for 2009 basketball prospects in South Carolina.

Jennings is averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds per game this season and has an offer list that includes Clemson, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgetown, UCLA, Virginia, Georgia Tech, N.C. State and Connecticut.

"He's strongly considering Clemson," said Rufus McDonald, Jennings' guardian, mentor and AAU coach. "They have a good shot. He also likes Georgetown a great deal, and UCLA. South Carolina is not totally ruled out but they are working from behind."

Jennings also is considering Virginia, Georgia Tech, N.C. State and UConn, according to McDonald. North Carolina and Florida aren't major factors any longer because of recent commitments they received from players at Jennings' position. He plans to make a decision in late March or early April.

In other recruiting news:

South Carolina State has a commitment from 6-5 Brandon Smalls of Harcum College in Pennsylvania, according to JucoJunction.com. He played basketball at North Charleston High and is averaging over 19 points and five rebounds this season.

DB Taylor Sowell (5-11, 190) of Dorman committed to UNC over offers from West Virginia and Georgia Tech. "He's been a North Carolina fan most of his life," Dorman football coach Dave Gutshall said. Last season, Sowell had 35 tackles with six interceptions and five knockdowns. "He's a very physical player," Gutshall said. "He has great hips and brings a physical side to the game."

Dorman OL Brandon Thomas (6-4, 280) played all of last season with a broken arm. "He's intense," Gutshall said. Thomas will play tight end this season but the colleges will recruit him for tackle. He has offers from UNC and Maryland. His coach said Clemson is close to making an offer. Thomas attended USC's junior day earlier this month and was scheduled to be at UNC this past weekend. He plans to go to Clemson on Saturday.

USC is one of the early offers for LB Kevin Minter (6-1, 240) of Suwanee, Ga. He also has offers from LSU, N.C. State, Ole Miss, Virginia, Purdue and WVU while Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Miami and Georgia Tech are showing interest. Minter attended junior day at Georgia and will go to LSU this Saturday. He also plans to see USC and Clemson. He does not have a favorite. Last season, Minter totaled 137 tackles with six sacks.

USC was the first to offer WR Terrell Mitchell (6-6, 225) of Powder Springs, Ga., and that's gotten the Gamecocks off to a good start with him. "He was fired up as most kids would be," said his coach, Jimmy Dorsey. Mitchell also has an offer from Kentucky, and Michigan appears close to offering. He is also getting interest from Auburn, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Mitchell plays tight end but does split out as a receiver. Last season, he had 40 catches, seven for TDs.

Myrtle Beach WR Jamere Valentine (6-2 195) caught 68 passes for 860 yards and 13 TDs last season. He also plays tailback and returns punts and kicks. "He wants to stay in state and a lot of people are coming to see him in the spring," said his coach, Scott Earley. He is getting early interest from USC, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.

Greenwood DE Sam Montgomery (6-5, 240) made 65 tackles with 15 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in '07. "He plays awfully hard," said his coach, Shell Dula. "He plays every play full speed." His offer list is USC, Clemson, Alabama, UNC and N.C. State. He made a recent unofficial visit to Clemson while USC, Georgia and UNC have invited him for visits.

DB D.J. Swearinger (6-1, 205) of Greenwood had 93 tackles and one INT last season. He also plays running back and rushed for 500 yards and eight TDs. "He understands the game of football better than anyone we've coached," Dula said. He is hearing from Clemson, USC, N.C. State, Virginia, UNC, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Vandy and Texas. He plans to attend Clemson's junior day on Saturday and UNC's in April.

South Pointe ATH Stephon Gilmore (6-2, 190) now has 10 offers, said his coach, Bobby Carroll. They are Clemson, USC, Florida State, Florida, Alabama, LSU, N.C. State, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Penn State. Gilmore plays quarterback and DB and last season accounted for 2,100 yards and 24 TDs. "He can play anywhere," Carroll said. "He's just a phenomenal athlete." South Pointe RB Devin Wherry (6-0, 220) has been getting some strong interest from USC, according to his coach. He's also hearing from Clemson, FSU, Alabama and UNC. He could play linebacker in college.

USC and Clemson are showing some interest in teammates RB Demonte Terry (6-2, 210) and LB James Robinson (6-1, 225) of Laurinburg, N.C. Terry rushed for 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. He also plays linebacker.

DB Devonte Holloman (6-3, 205) of Charlotte has early offers from Clemson, USC, Notre Dame, Auburn, UNC, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois and N.C. State. He plans to attend Clemson's junior day on Saturday. As a strong safety in '07, he totaled 50 tackles with 2 INTs. He also played quarterback last season.

DB DaMario Jeffrey (6-3, 210) of Columbia attended UNC's junior day. He has offers from the Tar Heels, Clemson, USC, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Michigan State and Marshall. He will go to Clemson's junior day and Alabama's in March. Jeffrey attended USC's junior day this month and got the chance to talk to Steve Spurrier. "He was telling me how they will use me and how I would be a good in-state recruit for them and how I would be a hometown here if I came to South Carolina," Jeffrey said.

Columbia High ATH Chris Payne (5-11, 191) attended UNC's junior day and was offered by the Tar Heels, said his coach, Kemper Amick. He also picked up an offer recently from Michigan State and is close to one from Alabama. He will go to Clemson's junior day this Saturday and to Alabama's in March.

ATH David Sims (6-0, 208) of Calhoun County gained an offer from Wake Forest recently. He also has offers from USC, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee. He's been to junior days at USC and Wake Forest.

Former Georgia Tech WR D.J. Donley (6-4, 203), who is expected to transfer to USC, told GamecockCentral.com last week he's not made a firm decision and is still looking at Purdue and Alabama.

USC will not pursue OL Justin Green (6-4, 365) of West Palm Beach, Fla. He had planned to sign with South Florida but was turned down by an academic committee at the school. USC does not have a scholarship available.