USC commitment list increases to 10

South Carolina's Showcase Camp on Friday proved beneficial as the Gamecocks pulled in three more commitments, pushing their total for the 2009 class to 10. And all three are receivers.

DeAngelo Smith (6-2, 185) of Kingsland, Ga., had been favoring the Gamecocks for weeks and waiting until the camp to make his pledge to the Gamecocks over Georgia, Vanderbilt and East Carolina. Smith said working with receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. was refreshing.

"I think he's a good coach," Smith said. "He's a big reason I committed."

Smith caught 30 passes for 300 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

DeMario Bennett (6-3, 185) of Douglas, Ga., said Clemson and Florida were his other favorites, though neither had offered. Bennett was attracted to USC by the offensive game plan.

"I know they are going to throw the ball," he said. "I feel like I will get plenty of passes thrown to me."

And Charles Holmes (6-3, 197) of South Pointe also likes how he might fit in with the Gamecocks' offense.

Holmes caught 44 passes for 988 yards and five touchdowns last season. Holmes does have some academic work to achieve, so he may first have to attend a prep school or junior college.

Holmes's friend and teammate, ATH Stephon Gilmore (6-2, 195), also attended the camp, and Holmes thinks the Gamecocks have a good shot at him, too.

Marlboro County WR Kinsman Thomas (6-3, 195) hoped to commit at USC's camp, but the Gamecocks want to see a little better speed from him before taking a commitment.

Thomas said USC remains his favorite. N.C. State and Illinois are two others showing serious interest.

WR Dominique Ellis (5-10 ,168) of Homerville, Ga., had planned to come in for USC's camp but didn't make it. He's now looking to visit Aug. 1. He's favoring the Gamecocks and likely would commit if given an official offer. He has an offer from Central Florida and is getting interest from Florida State. Last season, Ellis caught 40 passes for 980 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Junior OL Eric Mack (6-4, 323) of Calhoun County is a strong lean to USC and could be an early commitment. Mack wants to stay close to his St. Matthews home because of family considerations.

Mack's teammate, ATH Davis Sims (6-0, 215), plans three of his official visits for Michigan, Oregon and N.C. State. USC and Tennessee also are factors. Sims wants to play running back in college.

Sims, Mack and teammate WR Alshon Jeffrey (6-3, 217) attended USC's camp Friday. Jeffrey has been committed to Southern Cal and remains so, though he's expected to attend several USC games this season.

Several Greenwood High prospects visited USC Friday, including DB D.J. Swearinger (6-0, 200). He has been favoring Tennessee and North Carolina and has narrowed his list to the Vols, Tar Heels and Gamecocks.

Other Eagles at USC on Friday were DE Sam Montgomery (6-5, 240), DB Byron Best (5-9, 180) and junior OL Kelcy Quarles.

Montgomery remains open on his decision and has not cut his list. Best is waiting on an USC offer. He has offers from North Carolina, Marshall, S.C. State and Gardner-Webb. And Quarles, the son of former Gamecocks offensive lineman Buddy Quarles, is a strong lean to the Gamecocks and is expected to commit before his senior season.

Columbia DB Damario Jeffery (6-3, 213) participated at USC's camp and feels he showed the Gamecocks coaches he can be a safety for them.

Jeffery definitely wants to play safety, not linebacker, in college. He continues to favor USC over Alabama and Auburn.

Beaufort DB Jimmy LeGree (6-0, 170) did not make it to USC's camp but remains a strong lean to the Gamecocks. He also has offers from Vanderbilt, Presbyterian and Buffalo.

Byrnes WR Rico Sanders (5-10, 185) has a top four of USC, Auburn, Florida and Florida State. Sanders said Clemson, a one-time favorite, no longer is a major factor. He also has an offer from Georgia and is getting interest from N.C. State, Maryland and Tennessee.

Myrtle Beach DE Matt Smith (6-1, 245) tried to show the USC coaches Friday how he totaled 19 sacks as a junior. Smith has offers from Army, Navy, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Wofford, The Citadel, Charleston Southern and Presbyterian. Smith also is getting interest from Georgia, Vanderbilt and N.C. State. Smith also has visited Vanderbilt and N.C. State.

Greer TE Desmond Parks (6-6, 215) continues to favor Florida by a small margin over Clemson, and Georgia is now showing interest. Parks was scheduled to attend a camp at Florida on Friday and a passing league at North Carolina on Saturday. He also has offers from Presbyterian and Western Carolina.

Newberry WR J.J. Suber (6-4, 210) counts North Carolina, Presbyterian and Jackson State as his current offers.

DB Terry Shankle (6-0, 170) of Norwood, N.C., has cut his list to Clemson, North Carolina, N.C. State, Florida and Alabama with no favorite. He camped at Clemson and North Carolina last month, and he planned to visit North Carolina and N.C. State over the weekend. He feels the Tar Heels and Alabama are making the strongest push.

OL Xavier Nixon (6-7, 274) of Fayetteville, N.C., is looking at Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State and LSU for four of his official visits. He also has Clemson, USC, North Carolina, N.C. State and West Virginia on his favorites list.

Myrtle Beach WR Jamere Valentine (6-2, 195) has offers from Presbyterian, Coastal Carolina, Furman, The Citadel, Charleston Southern and Wofford. He's also drawn interest from USC, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Valentine caught 68 passes as a junior.

Clemson missed the cut with QB Ryan Mossakowski (6-4, 203) of Frisco, Texas, who cut his list last week to Kentucky, Auburn, Texas A&M and Alabama.

RB Travis Small (5-10, 183) of Cheraw, who was at USC's camp Friday, has offers from Duke and S.C. State.

WR Eric Williams (5-11, 185) of Bradenton, Fla., did not make it to USC on Friday but continues to favor the Gamecocks.

ATH Prince Kent (6-3, 195) of Norcross, Ga., is scheduled to announce his college choice this morning at 11:30. He's down to Clemson, Alabama and Miami.

West Florence OL John Coleman (6-4, 275) has offers from Duke, Buffalo, Newberry, Wofford, Presbyterian and Coastal Carolina. Coleman, whose father played at USC, was scheduled to attend the Gamecocks' camp Friday.

Gaffney OL Denzell Good (6-5, 315) has offers from Maryland and S.C. State and is drawing some interest from USC, Clemson, N.C. State and North Carolina.

Gaffney junior ATH Joe Craig (6-0, 165) plays quarterback for the Indians but will be a running back or receiver in college. USC, Clemson and Georgia are showing early interest.

USC is one of the favorites with DE Euclid Cummings (6-2, 235) of Roswell, Ga.

Summerville QB Donny McElveen II (6-3, 190) has offers from East Carolina and Central Florida and is getting strong interest from N.C. State, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt.

Basketball

USC coach Darrin Horn landed his first Gamecocks commitment last week in 6-5 Lakeem Jackson of Arden, N.C.

Jackson averaged 19 points and six rebounds per game last season. Jackson also had offers from Clemson, Marquette and Georgia Tech.

The Gaston Gazette reported last week that Cherryville, N.C., native 6-7 Justin Johnson, who will attend Chipola JC, Fla., in the fall, has committed to Clemson for the 2010 class contingent on successfully completing his academic work at the junior college. Johnson led the state of North Carolina in scoring last season at nearly 25 points per game. For his high school career, Johnson scored 2,388 points and grabbed 1,142 rebounds.

USC coaches scouted 7-0 Matt Wilson of Raleigh at an AAU tournament in North Augusta earlier this month. Wilson also is taking a serious look at Davidson, UNC Wilmington and The College of Charleston.

N.C. State also has shown interest this summer.

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