Denzel Johnson, the highly recruited wide receiver from A.C. Flora High School, is close to qualifying academically and could be suiting up for Clemson or South Carolina this fall.
Johnson’s ACT grade has improved and he should be qualified at the end of May as long as there’s no slippage in his regular grades, A.C. Flora head football Reggie Shaw said.
“He did improve on his ACT and is going to take the SAT this month,” Shaw said. “His grades are looking real good. I spoke with Clemson last week and right now if he maintains there’s a good chance they will have something for him in May.
“He’s going to qualify by the skin of his teeth if he maintains his current grades with that score. We want to get him some breathing room so they are encouraging him to keep taking the test because that makes it easier on their part because he’s one they’ll have to lobby to get approved.”
Shaw said his latest information from South Carolina, dating back to Signing Day, was that the Gamecocks suggested Johnson go to Georgia Military JC first. But Johnson has since heard from Steve Spurrier Jr. and said he was told the Gamecocks would be interested in taking him if he gets fully qualified. Shaw said Georgia Southern just recently came on board with an offer.
As for his juniors at A.C. Flora, Shaw said quarterback Brendan Greene is hearing from Appalachian State, Liberty and Old Dominion. Last season he passed for 2,100 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Tight end PJ Holliday is also drawing some early interest from mid-major programs.
Wide receiver Kyle Davis of Decatur, Ga., has been a USC commitment since last July and he remains “solid” with that commitment. But Davis also said he’s not finished with recruiting, and the USC coaches know that.
“They encourage me to go and see places,” said Davis, who went to Auburn for a junior day last weekend. “It would be a waste of the recruiting process if I didn’t go. You only get to enjoy this one time. My recruiting is not done. I’m going to enjoy it while I can.”
USC now has company at the top of the list of Conway wide receiver Bryan Edwards. After visiting Georgia recently, Edwards has the Bulldogs sharing the lead for him with the Gamecocks. The Bulldogs offered him on that visit.
Edwards went to a junior day at USC and he recently visited Wake Forest. He wants to take a visit to Florida as well. He also plans to go to USC for a spring practice and the spring game.
Defensive back Saivion Smith of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., announced a commitment to LSU last week over Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Virginia Tech.
Offensive lineman Josh Ball (6-7, 305) of Fredericksburg, Va., has 18 offers at this point, including one from USC. Some of the other offers include West Virginia, Virginia, N.C. State, Maryland, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
“I’m really interested in South Carolina,” Ball said. “I definitely want to get down for a visit soon, maybe for a spring practice. The SEC is one of the best. I’m really excited about South Carolina. I’m doing my research and can’t wait to meet Coach Spurrier.”
Wide receiver Diondre Overton (6-5 ,195) of Greensboro, N.C.,is one of the top two-sport athletes in North Carolina. As a receiver last season for Page High School, Overton had 61 catches for 1,187 yards and 11 touchdowns. And this basketball season he’s averaging 14 points per game. Overton would like to play both sports in college, at least for his freshman season, before deciding on one sport full time.
Only Virginia Tech has offered him for both sports at this point meaning football likely will be his ultimate choice. Overton attended Clemson’s junior day last month and right now he has the Tigers and N.C. State at the top of his list.
“I really love Clemson,” Overton said. “I went there on junior day and it was a good time. My family loved it.”
Overton also has an offer from USC but has yet to visit. He has been in touch with Gamecock recruiter Deke Adams.
Linebacker Brandon Hill of Heathwood Hall already has five ACC offers in Clemson, Wake Forest, Duke, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh. He can now add the SEC to his conference options after a recent offer from Georgia. And for good measure, he can consider the Ivy League as well thanks to an offer from Yale.
USC has had a lot of success recruiting Georgia Military JC over the years and the Gamecocks are targeting offensive lineman Akeem Cooperwood (6-7, 340) for the 2016 class. The Gamecocks were the first to offer Cooperwood, who is a native of Knoxville and joined Bert Williams’ program last season as an unattached prospect.
“He’s figuring it all out to be honest with you,” Williams said. “He’s not ready to make any decisions or anything like that. He was pretty excited, though, when Carolina pulled the trigger.”
Others showing interest, according to Williams, include Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee. He said Cooperwood wants to visit USC this spring or summer but no date has been set.
USC is already set to add defensive end Kalan Ritchie to the 2016 class from Georgia Military. The Gamecocks signed him out of Goose Creek and placed him at the junior college. Ritchie will also get some work at tight end this spring.
LSU offered Clemson target DE Rahshaun Smith of Bradenton, FL.
Clemson and USC target LB Tre’ Lamar of Roswell, GA visited Alabama over the weekend. He also was offered by Georgia last week.
Georgia offered USC target LB Jonathan Jones of Orlando.
DL Logan Glen of Destrehan, LA lists his current favorites as Clemson, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Texas AM.
DL Derrick Brown of Buford, GA has a top eight in order of Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, USC, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and LSU.
Clemson OL target Jack DeFoor of Calhoun, GA added offers from Michigan and Vanderbilt last week. He visited Auburn Saturday.
Florida offered RB Tyrek Tisdale of Orlando, an USC target.
LB Donta Evans, who moved from Orangeburg-Wilkinson to Lawrenceville, GA, was offered by Auburn.
Clemson offered LB Jake Morgenstern of New Canaan, CT.
Greer DB Troy Pride and Hanahan WR Samuel Denmark committed to Virginia Tech.
Manning RB RaQuan Bennett signed last week with Coastal Carolina. He rushed for 4,333 yards and 56 TDs in his career.
USC has offered 2017 LB Kendric Haynes of Murphy, AL. LSU also has offered.
Basketball
USC basketball coach Frank Martin is looking to add another big man to his roster this spring and has offered Russell Woods (6-8, 220) of John A. Logan College in Illinois. Woods is a native of Chicago where he played his senior season for the powerhouse Simeon High School program. This season at Logan, the lefthander is averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Kamar Baldwin, a point guard from Winder, Ga., visited Clemson for the Georgia Tech game Saturday and was offered by the Tigers. Some of his other offers are Furman, Charlotte, George Mason, UT Chattanooga and Middle Tennessee State.
Also visiting Clemson Saturday was point guard Jalen Harris of Raleigh.
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