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There were recruiting fireworks aplenty for USC fans over the July 4th weekend. Saturday saw the Gamecocks land their 2024 quarterback and a running back who had left them off his reported short list just a few days before.
QB Dante Reno (6-1 215) of Fiskdale, MA and the Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut announced a commitment to the Gamecocks from his home and via CBS Sports HQ. Reno is the Gamecocks’ first commitment for the 2024 class, and he chose them over NC State, Purdue, Kentucky, Virginia and Wake Forest. USC head coach Shane Beamer, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and area recruiter Pete Lembo combined to recruit Reno, whose father is the head coach at Yale. He made three visits to the school during the recruiting process, and those visits left him with no doubt that USC was the right place for him. “Me and my family, we felt at home,” Reno said. “That’s probably one of the biggest reasons I chose South Carolina. The family atmosphere that we had, and the way that Coach Beamer, Coach Satterfield and Coach Lembo treated my whole family like family too. They’ve recruited me like that since the beginning. Throughout the whole time they’ve stuck by me. I’ve had calls to Coach Satterfield twice a week, Coach Beamer one-time a week and Coach Lembo one-time a week. They are recruiting me the hardest, but I feel like I can get developed the best there. It’s been a long time since they’ve been at the top, but when that place is rocking and that stadium is on, it’s going to be a pretty special place in the SEC.” Reno is regarded nationally as one of the top quarterbacks in his class. Last season he passed for 250 yards and 27 touchdowns completing 66% of his passes. He loves the fact Satterfield has an NFL background and runs a pro-style offense. That’s exactly what he was looking for.
“My goal is to play for a long time in the NFL, and his offense can prepare me for that,” Reno said. “He’s going to prepare me with not just on the field stuff but in the film room too. The way they treat their meetings, it’s like an NFL meeting room. He coaches everyone in the meeting. He’s not just on the starter or the backup, he’s on everyone the whole meeting. And he’s just a really good guy and really good person. He’s a great fit me for me and my family and he did a great job with me and my brothers and sisters. He’s a great guy.” Reno understands what his position is now related to the USC program. Of course, his primary focus the next two seasons will be to be as successful as he can with his high school team. But he’s also thinking about the future and how he hopes he can help Beamer continue to build a successful program. “Win the team over by being a good teammate first, putting all of them before myself,” Reno said. “Playing my game, distributing the ball to the playmakers, not turn the ball over and biggest thing is going out and win. That’s the SEC, you’ve got to win. I think we can do that at Carolina. You need a quarterback, you need a line, and you need defense, and you’re going to win some games. That’s what we’re going to do with these next two recruiting classes. There’s probably three kids, Kam Pringle, Mazeo Bennett and Josiah Thompson, those are like my three targets right now and they are all South Carolina kids. Those are my guys right now for the ’24 class. In the ’23 class, there are a bunch of studs who are going to commit but they have not announced that they are going to commit too. It’s going to be a fun time.”
RB Dontavius Braswell (5-11 200) of Sandersville, GA Saturday afternoon announced a public commitment to the Gamecocks despite not naming them in his final four on June 29th. Braswell’s final four schools were Nebraska, Alabama, Oregon and Boston College. Braswell made official visits to USC, Nebraska, Louisville and Boston College. He also visited USC for their spring game in April, the day after getting his offer, and he made a pair of unofficial visits to Nebraska dating back to last season. Gamecocks’ running backs coach Monterio Hardesty was not deterred by Braswell’s short list, and his work combined with circumstances with some of the other schools got the Gamecocks the recruiting win. Braswell is one of the fastest backs in Georgia having won the 2A state championships in the 100 and 200 meters in May while going thru spring football practice at the same time. Last season he rushed for 1081 yards and averaged 13.5 yards per carry. He’s the first running back commitment for the Gamecocks’ 2023 class and the 12th overall.
The Gamecocks added two more pieces to their 2023 class earlier in the week.
LB Grayson “Pup” Howard (6-3 223) of Jacksonville and the Gamecocks have had a long recruiting history, and by his own estimation he made nine visits to the campus during the process. He also took official visits to Florida and Georgia. His final five schools were USC, Clemson, Georgia, Florida and Texas A&M. In his announcement video, Howard said he was looking for a school that wasn’t too far from his home. “A place where I can grow and create change and create history is real big for me, and bring guys up with you,” Howard said. “I’m looking for a place that has the fans, that has the support system, and has the energy to uplift, and this place does it from every single aspect. Love is definitely the word for this place.” “I knew this place has what I wanted and what I needed,” Howard continued. “At that exact moment, I knew this was home.” Howard had a sensational junior season with 157 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 2 interceptions.
USC receivers coach Justin Stepp has another weapon to look forward to tutoring in the future in CJ Adams (6-3 210) of Mableton, GA. Adams made his official visit to Columbia June 24th and going in he was favoring USC over Kentucky, Maryland and UAB. Adams also visited USC for the spring game in April. He caught 54 passes last season for 936 yards and 11 touchdowns. He said in May Stepp likes him for his size and his big play potential. “He likes my physicality, my ability to run and move and play-make,” Adams said. “I would fit good in their offense because all they do is throw the ball. I would fit great into the offense. And coach said I’d be more like an ATH, an all-around the field type of guy. Coach Stepp feels my physicality and my ability to be an athlete and play all over is very good.” Adams also had offers from Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Memphis, East Carolina, Connecticut, Louisville, Cincinnati, Purdue and USF among others. His only other official visit in June was to Maryland.
2023 USC commitments:
JUDGE COLLIER CB 6-1 190 LEGION COLLEGIATE
GRAYSON HOWARD LB 6-3 223 JACKSONVILLE
DONTAVIUS BRASWELL RB 5-11 200 SANDERSVILLE, GA
TROVON BAUGH OT 6-4 315 ATLANTA
ISAIAH JATTA OT 6-6 310 SNOW JC, UT
ZABHARI SANDY SAF 6-1 204 WASHINGTON, DC
CAMERON UPSHAW SAF 6-3 175 PERRY, FL
JALON KILGORE SAF 6-2 196 EATONTON, GA
CONNOR COX TE 6-6 227 JACKSONVILLE
KAMRON SANDLIN TE 6-4 210 ANNISTON, AL
KELTON HENDERSON WR 5-11 175 LEHIGH ACRES, FL
CJ ADAMS WR 6-3 210 MABLETON, GA
Clemson also continued building their 2023 class last week pulling another major offensive line talent out of Texas. Harris Sewell (6-4 290) of Odessa chose the Tigers over Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama. He joins Ian Reed of Austin as big Texas linemen who have committed to Dabo Swinney and offensive line coach Thomas Austin. Vance Washington is one of Sewell’s coaches at Permian High School. He said the Tigers not only are getting a fine football player, but an excellent person.
“He’s just the most humble kid. Every place he’s visited is just great,” Washington said. “There’s never been a negative word about any place he’s visited. The way he’s approached this whole process, he’s just so humble. You can’t find a better kid. Not the football aspect of it, but just as a person, he’s a great leader. He’s not a real vocal guy. He doesn’t talk a lot. He’ll talk some, but it’s always positive. He’s got great parents. You can’t say enough good things about him. We’ve had a lot of kids go through this process in the past. It takes a special kid to handle this, and he really has. He’ll make everybody really happy because not only is he a great football player but he’s a great kid and a great person. He’s got great character.”
While a nice guy off the field, Washington added that Sewell is able to transform himself into a monster on the field. “As much as I tell you what a great kid he is off the field, when he steps on the field, that switch flips. He is nasty. He is a road grader. He’s a physical dude,” Washington said. “I think that’s what everybody who has seen his film has talked about. He just comes off the ball and he has that streak in him. You want them to be great citizens off the field, but on the field, you want them to be nasty. That’s him. He’s a good one. He’s a really, really top-notch player and kid.” Sewell took his official visit to Clemson the weekend of June 3rd. He also made unofficial visits to Texas A&M, TCU, Auburn and Texas. He gives Clemson 15 commitments for the 2023 class.
2023 Clemson commitments:
AVIEON TERRELL CB 6-0 170 ATLANTA
BRANDEN STROZIER CB 6-2 175 ALPHARETTA, GA
DAVID OJIEGBE DE 6-3 235 WASHINGTON, DC
AJ HOFFLER DE 6-5 240 COLLEGE PARK, GA
VICTOR BURLEY DT 6-4 278 WARNER ROBINS, GA
STEPHIYLAN GREEN DT 6-4 275 ROME, GA
JAMAL ANDERSON LB 6-4 195 HOSCHTON, GA
DEE CRAYTON LB 6-2 215 ALPHARETTA, GA
IAN REED OT 6-5 310 AUSTIN, TX
HARRIS SEWELL OT 6-4 290 ODESSA, TX
CHRISTOPHER VIZZINA QB 6-4 207 BIRMINGHAM
KYLEN WEBB SAF 6-1 180 SARASOTA, FL
OLSEN HENRY TE 6-4 210 NAPLES, FL
MARKUS DIXON TE 6-5 230 WARMINSTER, PA
NOBLE JOHNSON WR 6-3 205 ROCKWALL, TX
Clemson appears to be in excellent shape to add a third huge offensive lineman to the class Monday. Zechariah Owens (6-7 355) of McDonough, GA will make his commitment announce at 3:00 PM. Clemson was his only official visit of June and is widely expected to be the choice.
Clemson has two other targets scheduled for announcements this week. DE Keldric Faulk of Highland Home, AL will reveal his decision Tuesday from Clemson, Auburn, Florida and Florida State. And DT Peter Woods of Alabaster, AL is set to announce Friday with Clemson, Florida, Alabama and Oklahoma the finalists.
A former Tiger target, DT Darron Reed of Columbus, GA, also will announce on July 4th. He’s down to Ohio State and LSU.
The next scheduled announcement for a USC target is QB Dylan Lonergan on July 12th. Another Gamecock target, OT Oluwatosin Babalade, has set July 31st for his announcement.
WR Tyler Williams (6-3 180) of Lakeland, FL set September 27th for his commitment announcement. Williams has USC, Clemson, Ole Miss, Georgia and Texas A&M as his five cutting Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Florida, Syracuse, Southern Cal and USF from his previous short list. The Gamecocks actually are an addition to his list as they were not on his previous short list. And he has set his commitment announcement for September 27th. Williams made official visits to Clemson, USC, Georgia and Texas A&M in June. He was at Clemson for the Tigers’ mega-recruiting weekend of June 3rd, and he made a mid-week official visit to USC starting June 14th. He has his visit to Ole Miss scheduled for September 3rd.
One in-state prospect is set to announce Monday. SAF Thomas Williams of Powdersville made one official visit in June, and that was to Virginia Tech. He has reported offers from Penn State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Old Dominion and UAB.
USC missed on Dorman OT DJ Geth who committed to North Carolina over the Gamecocks, DE Jaybron Harvey of (6-3 217) of Durham, who decided to stay in-state and committed to North Carolina, SAF Braylon Johnson of Highland Springs, VA, who also is staying in the home state with a commitment to Virginia Tech, WR London Humphreys of Nashville, who is staying in his hometown after committing to Vanderbilt, and DE Tyree Weathersby of Douglasville, GA who committed to Tennessee, though he still plans to take visits and the Gamecocks might get one in September.
USC RB target Treyaun Webb had planned to announce his commitment decision last Wednesday. But he scratched that and has not announced a new date. Webb took official visits in June to Florida, Penn State and USC.
One-time USC target LB Semaj Bridgeman of New Jersey committed to Michigan.
LB Justin Jefferson of Pearl River JC, who had an offer from USC among others, committed to Alabama.
CB Sharif Denson, who had USC on his short list, committed to Florida.
Clemson missed on RB Jeremiah Cobb of Montgomery, AL as he announced for Auburn over the Tigers and Tennessee.
One-time USC and Clemson target WR Christian Hamilton of Harrisburg NC committed to North Carolina.
Former Clemson commitment WR Nathaniel Joseph committed to Miami. He took official visits to Louisville and Miami after decomitting from the Tigers.
USC is in the top five with DE Monteque Rhames of Sumter. The others are Georgia, Michigan, Alabama and NC State. From his previous short list Rhames cut Coastal Carolina, Michigan and UCF. Rhames tweeted recently that his commitment announcement was coming soon, but no date has been announced. Rhames has not taken any official visits, but he’s made multiple unofficial visits to USC this year. He’s also visited NC State and Alabama among the other schools on his list.
LB Jaden Robinson of Lake City, FL named a final four of USC, Kentucky, Maryland and Michigan. This month he took official visits to USC, Kentucky and Maryland. He also visited USC unofficially in January and for the spring game in April. And he was offered by Florida on Sunday.
One-time Clemson and USC target DE Rico Walker of Hickory, NC named a final five of North Carolina, Auburn, Florida, Maryland and Tennessee.
OT Tyree Adams, who was offered by USC, is down to Ole Miss, LSU, Georgia and Florida.
2024 DE Kavion Henderson of Leeds, AL, who was offered by USC in May, did not include them in his top 10 of Miami, Oklahoma, LSU, Arkansas, North Carolina, Georgia, Auburn, Texas A&M, Michigan and Cincinnati.
2024 DT Omar White of Leesburg, GA has Clemson in his top 10 along with Oregon, Florida State, Michigan state, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia and Jackson State.
2024 DT Champ Thompson of Norcross, GA, who has USC and Clemson offers, will name a top 10 soon.
Clemson 2024 QB target DJ Lagway was offered by Florida.
Former Clemson RB Demarkcus Bowman, who left the Tigers for Florida, is now headed to UCF. And another former Clemson RB, Lyn-J Dixon, who transferred to West Virginia in the offseason, is back in the NCAA Transfer Portal.
QB Dylan Lonergan of Snellville, GA pushed his commitment announcement back a week to July 12th. That’s not because he needs more time, but because many of his teammates and coaches won’t be around on July 5th, and he wants them there for his big day. Lonergan took the last of his three official visits June 24th to Stanford, and he feels a final decision isn’t far off. “I’d say probably within the week I’ll know,” Lonergan said. “All the visits I’ve taken, I have a great feel for them. It’s just going to come down to where I feel home is, and where I’m going to get the best chance to develop on and off the field in both sports.” And is there one school standing out more than the other two? “Yeah, I think so,” Lonergan said. “Once I make the decision, probably make the two calls to the other two first, and then let the one know that I chose.” USC and Alabama are the other two programs under consideration along with Stanford. He visited both of those earlier in the June and then made the trip to Palo Alto last weekend after two weeks of travel baseball. “I had a really good time, my third time out there,” Lonergan said. “Really just getting a feel for the campus more and getting a feel for the players and the recruits more. I’d say the baseball program is really good, been to Omaha twice in a row, The football program, they do a great job developing quarterbacks. And then obviously the academics out there is not comparable to many places.” Lonergan also is a major baseball talent, at the level where he could be a first or second round draft pick in the summer of 2023. So, the chance exists that whoever signs Lonergan might never get him on campus. “I’d say it’s possible, for sure,” Lonergan said. “It would take a lot and definitely getting picked very high, because I definitely want to play college football. I’d say it’s a possibility but unlikely. We’ll just see when the time comes.” Lonergan said he will continue to take calls from the three coaching staffs this week until he makes his decision, then he will be the one making calls that will make one staff very happy.
Dorman OT Markee Anderson has probably visited USC more than any other schools recruiting him. Unofficially, his official visit last weekend counted for at least his seventh visit dating back to when he was offered by the Gamecocks in September of 2020. The Gamecocks were the first to offer Anderson and hope to be the last team standing when he announces his commitment decision later this summer. Anderson knows so much about the USC program, coaches and players, he was able to use his official weekend as a chance to just relax with the crowd and soak it all in. That’s what stood out to him the most. “Getting back down there to hang out with some of the coaches and players,” Anderson said. ‘Everybody down there is very genuine, very loving and made it kind of feel like home.” Anderson did meet up with head coach Shane Beamer and offensive line coach Greg Adkins. They see him as a guy who could provide some immediate help on the offensive line as a true freshman in 2023. “They see me as a tackle when I’m down there, or possibly inside as an interior person as far as football wise,” Anderson said. “They said they like me and my family and they hope to get me down there.” USC, Clemson, North Carolina and LSU were the four schools Anderson visited in June, and those are the four he will take to the decision line in August. “This month of July, I plan on chilling and relaxing and thinking of things,” Anderson said. “In August I’ll commit. No specific date, but just sometime in August before the season. I’ll still have my top four. I’m still in contact with all the schools.” USC and Clemson have both made Anderson a priority target for this class.
OT Oluwatosin “Tree” Babalade (6-5 296) of Hyattsville, MD wrapped up his official visits in late June with stops at Rutgers and Maryland. Earlier he made visits to USC, North Carolina and Ohio State. Originally, his plan was to make his commitment announcement on August 10th. Now, his plan to is to do his due diligence on the five finalists and decide and announce on July 31st. “They are equal right now,” Babalade said. I’m going to talk to my people about and brainstorm about it. I’ll just choose who is the best fit for me. That’s pretty much it.” Babalade added that two key factors will determine which program he will choose. “The family part, and also a place I can play,” Babalade said. Babalade was offered by USC in March. He made his first visit to the campus in April for the spring game and returned for his official visit June 10th. All the while, head coach Shane Beamer and offensive line coach Greg Adkins have been in regular contact, and they haven’t let up. “I talked to Sam Serbay, Greg Adkins, the whole O-line staff and the head coach too,” Babalade said. “The head coach hit me up today (Monday). Basically, they were all hitting me up today.” The Gamecocks actually led for Babalade following his official visit, but the trip to Ohio State led him to back up from that position, leaving the Gamecocks in a battle to land one of their top offensive line prospects next month.
Clemson wants two safeties in the 2023 class and has one in the fold in Kylen Webb of Sarasota. Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and safeties coach Mickey Conn would like to fill the other spot as soon as possible. Rob Billings (6-1 185) of Alpharetta, GA is one the Tigers have been recruiting for the position. Billings is well aware of the situation with the Clemson safeties and understands if he doesn’t move soon there might not be a spot for him. “There’s a time crunch, but you know I’ve got to play it smart,” Billing said. “If I want to go to Clemson I’ve got to commit sooner or later. But I’m going to take it slow right now. I might take a couple of visits (in July) and after that I might decide where I want to go.” Billings made his official visit to Clemson the first weekend in June and says he continues to get a strong sales pitch from Conn. “They are telling me they want me really bad,” Billings said. “They are showing their interest in now much they want me, but at the same time they are not rushing me to commit. They are showing me how badly they want me. Me and Coach Conn have been in contact every day. They are showing their interest in how bad they want me, but they are still telling me to take my time and just pray on it and make the best decision for me.” Billings said the fact Conn and Clemson have kept up the strong interest in him since offering him earlier this year has meant a lot to him as he weighs his options. “Just how they are recruiting me,” he said. “Since they offered me, the communication hasn’t fell off. They’ve shown the interest ever since the day they offered me. I’ve been on campus three times and every time I’ve been there it’s felt like home, like family.” Clemson was the only official visit for Billings in June. If he can, he said he’d like to visit Florida State and Kentucky in July. He’s also been communicating with Duke, Ole Miss, Cincinnati and Missouri and could visit some of those schools if he stretches the recruiting into the season.
DT Elijah Williams (6-4 290) of Alabaster, AL was offered by USC in May and said he spoke with defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey earlier in the month. Williams has not yet visited USC and he said Lindsey wants to get him on campus so he can meet with him in person. Williams was offered after being scouted in spring practice by area recruiter Jody Wright. Williams did not take any visits in June but said he’s looking at potential visits to Maryland and Missouri in late July. He said Maryland is showing the most interest in him at this point.
USC already has one junior college offensive tackle commitment from Isaiah Jatta, and they remain in contact with another they have offered, Elijah Philippe (6-7 300) of Lackawanna JC, PA. The Gamecocks offered Philippe in May after recruiter Pete Lembo went by the school and offensive line coach Greg Adkins later reviewed his film. “We talk often,” Philippe said. “They send me stuff about the program, stuff they are doing there. Pictures of the stadium, the facilities, amazing programs they have, stuff like that. They keep me in the loop. I talked with Coach Adkins on the phone.” Philippe said he also has offers from Virginia Tech, Florida State and Old Dominion and he is also hearing from them. Syracuse has also been in touch. Philippe said he has been talking with Adkins about an official visit and they are looking at the last weekend in July for that. “I’m feeling great towards them,” Philippe said of the Gamecocks. “They were my first offer. It’s an SEC school. I like what the coaches put out. I’d say it’s too soon to call them my favorite, but they are up there.” Philippe, who plays left tackle at Lackawanna, is on track to graduate in December and will have three years to play two at the next level.
WR Daidren Zipperer of Lakeland, FL has cut his list to a final six of USC, Pitt, UCF, USF, BYU and Arkansas State. He made official visits last month to Pitt and UCF, and he took unofficial visits to USC and BYU. More visits will come in September and a decision will be made the end of that month. Gamecocks secondary coach Torrian Gray and receivers coach Justin Stepp are both recruiting Zipperer, and he’s been in regular contact with them. “My latest conversation was with coach Torrian Gray, and he we just talked about my top six list, and he was telling me I’m still wanted and stuff like that,” Zipperer said. “My last conversation with Coach Stepp, we talked about my official visit and me coming up there in September. He was telling me the same thing, that I’m wanted and would be a good fit.” Zipperer was very impressed with USC and the staff from his visit in early June. That continues to resonate with him. “They’ve got a good chance to get me,” Zipperer said. “I feel like I can thrive there. I feel like their coaching staff shows a lot of genuine love. They don’t feed into the lies. Some coaches do lie to the kids. I feel like they keep it hundred with me.” Zipperer added that none of his top six is standing out more than any of the others at this point. Last season Zipperer caught 17 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns. His brother is a tight end at Florida.
OT Jatavius Shivers (6-7 270) of Villa Rica, GA committed to Vanderbilt after coming off an official visit with the Commodores last month, but he decommitted on Saturday. He was one of the prospects to visit USC unofficially June 25th for their cookout. It was his third visit to USC since the spring when he landed an offer from offensive line coach Greg Adkins. “I liked it up there. It was genuine,” Shivers said. “I felt very welcomed, and I had a good time. I went there and had a good time and met with the coaches, in particular Coach Adkins.” Shivers was joined on the visit by his parents, and they had a chance to visit for a few minutes with head coach Shane Beamer as well. “It went good. It was pretty short and casual,” Shivers said of the conversation. “There wasn’t really a message, just socializing.” Prior to his commitment, Shivers had the Gamecocks in his top five along with Vanderbilt, , Florida State, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss. This most recent visit keeps the Gamecocks in the hunt and in line for an official visit during the season. “They are still up there, it moved them up a little bit,” Shivers said. He has not yet scheduled any more visits for July or when the season begins.
CB/WR Vicari Swain of Carrollton, GA named a top fix of USC, Vanderbilt, Maryland, Mississippi State, Duke and Georgia Tech. He made his official visit to USC June 24th and has also seen Maryland and Vanderbilt. He plans to take an official visit to Mississippi State during the season. “It was good. I enjoyed myself,” Swain said of his USC visit. “I really liked hanging out with the players. I talked to a lot of the coaches, mostly coach (Torrian) Gray. They like me as a corner and receiver. I also talked with Coach Stepp. From what the players told me, the coaches are good at developing them.” Swain also sat down with Beamer and came away impressed by him. “Coach Beamer is outgoing, a passionate guy,” he said. “They connected with everybody, me and the others.” Last season Swain had 55 catches for 855 yards and 8 touchdowns and 28 tackles with 6 interceptions.
DT Elijah Davis (6-5 300) of Wagener-Salley and East Mississippi JC was back in Columbia late last month to meet up with some of the other recruits at the Carolina Cookout and to reconnect with Beamer and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsay. Davis also took an unofficial visit to USC in late May. “The coaches really got into how a lot of things work around there,” Davis said. “They want me for the three technique. Mostly they want me to rush and bring pressure up the middle.” The Gamecocks first offered Davis during his junior season when Will Muschamp was still in charge. Beamer and Lindsey quickly followed up on recruiting him once they came on board. Davis said he and Beamer got the chance to talk Saturday. “He said he really wanted me,” Davis said. “He wants me to be a Gamecock and come back to my hometown.” Davis said the visit keeps the Gamecocks in a good place with him as they battle primarily with other SEC programs for his services. “They are one of my top schools right now with Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State and Ole Miss,” Davis said. He also wants to give Auburn a look if he can arrange a visit there. Davis has not taken any official visits. Those will come during his season, and he said Beamer and Lindsey talked with him about returning for the Georgia game for his visit. He won’t make his commitment call until after the season.
One of the nation’s most sought-after linebackers for the 2024 recruiting cycle was in Clemson recently and spent plenty of time getting to know defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. Sammy Brown (6-2 220) of Jefferson, GA was the first member of the 2024 to pick up a Clemson offer, and that came while he was on campus on March 12th. He then returned on April 6th to take in the Tigers’ final spring practice prior to their “Orange and White” spring game. Brown was also on hand for head coach Dabo Swinney’s camp in early June, but he didn’t participate in workouts. “My brother was actually doing one of the little kids’ camps, so we just kind of made a visit out of it,” Brown said. “It’s just fun to get up there and meet people and build relationships because it’s not like it’s super difficult to get up there. It’s only about 45 minutes from the house, so I really just kind of went at lunch and helped my brother move in and all that, and then met with all the coaches, talked about PAW Journey, and then just watched some camp. So, it wasn’t really anything special, but it’s just good to get up there and talk to all the coaches again.” Brown said receiving the Tigers’ first offer meant something to him. “It’s really a blessing, but more than that, it’s kind of a motivation. At the same time, you’re the first 24 guy to get the offer, so you have to kind of prove yourself and prove that you deserve that, and you earn that.” The Georgia native is making sure he gets to know everything he can about Clemson and its defense. “I really like Coach Goodwin. He’s a really genuine guy. He’s not one of those up-in-your-face kinds of people that’s always yelling and screaming,” Brown noted. “He’s super laid back and I think that’s something that I really like. And he’s just a regular guy. We always talk about hunting and fishing and all that stuff that I like to do. So, it’s not like he’s all about football and recruiting. It’s kind of what I like, too.” The rising junior boasts offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio St., Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, and Southern Cal among others. And he plans to visit a few of them before the summer is through. “We only have one other recruit visit set up,” Brown revealed in discussing his future plans. “We’re going up to Notre Dame, Michigan, and Michigan State because they’re all within driving distance, so that’s the only thing we have planned. And anything else is really just kind of played by ear. And then this fall, Clemson is one of those places that if we can pop up, we’re free, and they have a home game we can just go to. So, this fall we definitely want to try to get back to a Clemson game because they have a really good thing going.” So where exactly does Clemson stand at this point? “I really like what Clemson is doing. They’ve got one of the best cultures in college football by far,” Brown said. “When you have a coaching staff that stays for over five years as Clemson does, that definitely speaks volumes of your culture and your environment you’ve got going. So, I think that Clemson’s got a great culture and they’ve got a great thing going, and I really like what they’re doing.”
WR Chris Lawson Jr. of Ridge View committed to Appalachian State.
Beaufort SAF/WR Colton Phares (6-2 185) committed to Appalachian State earlier in the week.
Northwestern WR Elijah Caldwell committed to West Virginia.
SAF Travon West of Wren committed to Indiana.
Goose Creek QB Drew Moore committed to Mercer.
Camden DE Shymeik Jones was offered by Liberty.
Dutch Fork RB Jarvis Green named a top eight of James Madison, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State, Wofford, Memphis, Appalachian State, Charlotte and Georgia State.
