DL Eddie Goldman of Washington, DC made an unofficial visit to USC Thursday along with a member of his coaching staff and parents. Goldman met up with recruiter GA Mangus and defensive assistant coaches Brad Lawing and Lorenzo Ward. USC is one of the 15 schools still on his list. Also on that list are Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Oklahoma, Virginia and California.
TE Kelvin Rainey (6-3 210) of Yulee, FL committed to USC Thursday afternoon picking the Gamecocks over Georgia and Miami after narrowing his decision down to a final three. Rainey had favored the Gamecocks throughout most of the recruiting season and figured there was no reason to wait any longer on the decision. “I just have too good of a relationship with South Carolina,” Rainey said. “I like everything about them…the coaches, the academics, the facilities, how they handle themselves.” Rainey is a good, overall athlete who can play several positions, but he said USC wants him as a tight end. “I can fit right in when I go there,” he said. “They see me as a tight end or receiver, someone who can create mismatches. It sounds really good. It’s the same thing we’re going on my high school team.” Last season Rainey had 30 catches for 450 yards and 7 touchdowns. He’s the 9th commitment for the Gamecocks’ 2012 class.
OL Joe Harris of Lithonia, GA plans to make an unofficial visit to USC Friday. This will be a return trip to USC for Harris who actually grew up in Spartanburg. He visited Clemson earlier in the June and he is scheduled to visit Oregon State early next week. He camped at Alabama earlier this month. Harris has offers from USC, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Florida and others. He has indicated USC and Clemson will be among the schools he considers thru the process.
USC had been in pursuit of WR Chris Black of Jacksonville and for a while it appeared the Gamecocks stood a good chance to get him. But Black told the fan website FightinGators.com that he is down to a final three of Florida, Florida State and Alabama. Black recently camped at Florida State and plans to visit Florida and Alabama again before making his decision. Black said his decision will be coming soon.
DB Devon Miller (5-9 165) of Riverdale, GA has offers from USC and Appalachian State. He is hearing from Coastal Carolina and Charleston Southern and will visit each school next month. “The Charleston Southern coach says he really wants to meet me,” Miller said. ‘It will be my first visit to both places.” Other schools showing interest in Miller are Kentucky and Southern Miss. “I’m going to visit Kentucky during the season,” he said. “I may just make it an official visit.” He wants to visit USC and Appalachian State as well. “I really haven’t heard much from South Carolina lately,” Miller added. He listed his top five as Appalachian State, Kentucky, Southern Miss, USC and Coastal Carolina in that order.
TE Ryan Morris (6-6 248) of Barnegat, NJ committed to Purdue Monday choosing the Boilermakers over USC, Duke, Syracuse, Louisville, Illinois, Indiana and Central Florida among others. “It just felt right when I was there,” Morris said. “I talked to the coaches and players, of course, and it felt like the place for me.” Morris was planning to visit USC at some point prior to making his decision. “It’s pretty firm,” he said. “Purdue is where I’m going.” He did not rule out other possible visits in his future, including USC, but did say it was unlikely. As a junior, he had 30 catches for 496 yards and four touchdowns.
