Former USC second baseman Scott Wingo's eligibility called into question by report

Columbia based political blogger Will Folks claimed Monday night former USC second baseman Scott Wingo had another person take his SAT for him while at Mauldin High School.  Folks cited an unnamed source for his information. 

The source claimed to have been in the SAT testing room and claims Wingo did not take the test.  The informant could not identify the person it claimed to be taking the test for Wingo. 

Wingo currently is playing baseball for the Dodgers high rookie league team in Ogden, Utah.  Two sources close to Wingo disputed  Folks’ report.   ”It does not have any merit to it,” one source said.  A second source said Wingo took the SAT more than once and had more than one qualifying score on his record. 

If the allegation is true, Wingo’s eligibility for his four seasons at USC would be in question.  Typically the NCAA will force a team which uses an ineligible player  to forfeit any victories in which the ineligible player participated.  However, the NCAA’s statute of limitations in investigating an allegation is four years.  The story alleges the test took place five years ago. 

Wingo was the Most Outstanding Player of this season’s College World Series as the Gamecocks won their second straight national championship.

Brad Miller waited until the final minutes to accept an offer from Seattle

Two of the best players ever to don baseball uniforms at Clemson and USC, shortstop Brad Miller and centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. respectively, have played their last college game.  The two were among the unsigned drafted players to come to terms with their teams late Monday night before the midnight deadline.

Miller signed with the Mariners who had drafted him in the second round for a reported 750-thousand dollar bonus.    Bradley, who was the 40th pick of the draft by the Red Sox, signed for a reported 1.1 million dollars.

Clemson also lost its top recruit in LHP Daniel Norris.  The second round pick signed with the Blue Jays for a reported two million dollars.  Everything else for the Tigers held to form Monday night.  Veteran pitcher Kevin Brady and rookie pitcher Daniel Gossett previously had said they would not sign and they stuck to their plans.   Norris is the only member of Clemson’s recruiting class to opt for the pros. 

The Gamecocks fully expected Bradley to sign so his decision came as no surprise.  The biggest news for them, the decision by All American closer Matt Price, a sixth round pick, not to sign with Arizona.  Price is likely to return to a starters role next season.

USC’s two highest drafted signees, pitcher Taylor Guerrieri and outfielder Brian Goodwin, signed with the Rays and Nationals respectively.  The remainder of the Gamecocks’ unsigned rookies held firm and will be in school.  That includes highly regarded outfielder Tanner English who took his decision to the final hour before turning an offer from Tampa Bay. 

“Great night for us,” said USC associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Chad Holbrook.  “Roth, Price, Matthews, Webb, Seddon, English. Great night. And proud to have coached JBJ.” 

The Gamecocks ended up losing three of their 18 signees to the pros.