By: Rixon Lane

On the eve of Signing Day, we continue our coverage of the verbal commitments who will sign their letters of intent with Clemson and USC.

Tonight, we talked with Jordan Diggs, a safety from Fort Myers, Florida, and Island Coast High School.

AUDIO: Jordan Diggs

Diggs, who participated in this year’s Under Armour All-American Game, is the son of former Gamecock linebacker Shed Diggs. Tonight, we spoke with him about his decision to come to Columbia, his relationship with Carolina’s other commitments, and how he fits into the Gamecock defense.

First up was a Gamecock and Under All American, Mike Davis.  Of course we had a Tiger and Army All American on deck .  Charlotte native, Germone Hopper, is considered one of the top wideouts in the country, and a key cog to the offensive side of the ball in the Tigers 2012 class.

AUDIO: Germone Hopper

Tonight we talked speed with Germone, something he possesses plenty of, and also something Chad Morris likes to take advantage of in his high-powered offense.  We asked him why he chose Clemson, how he plans to fit in, and what he expects in the coming months.

Davis in his USC uniform

Here at SportsTalk, we are counting down the few days left until USC and Clemson football verbal commitments make their pledges official, and sign on the dotted line for National Signing Day. 

To kick-start our coverage of National Signing Day, we first welcomed into the program, Stephenson High School running back and Under Armour All American, Mike Davis. 

AUDIO: Mike Davis

Davis is also the brother of former Clemson star tailback, James Davis.  Tonight we talked with him about the recruiting process, from his original commitment to Florida to his eventual switch to the Gamecocks.  We also delved into what he expects the moment he steps on campus.

Jerry Meyers

Baseball season is less than a month away, and as the state’s biggest sports outlet, we’ve decided it’s time to slowly integrate the hard ball back into the show. Earlier in the week the guys from “SportsTalk First Edition,” Kevin McCrarey and the Wild Man, Bill Gunter, took some time to talk with USC Pitching Coach, Jerry Meyers, about his arms, and the upcoming season.

Practice for the USC baseball team starts tomorrow.  The two-time defending National Champions will open up their title defense February 17 against VMI in Columbia.

AUDIO: Jerry Meyers

Darrin Horn

The USC basketball team has struggled getting it into gear in  SEC play.  Thus far the Gamecocks are win-less in 4 league games, and are welcoming Alabama to the Colonial Life Arena Wednesday night. 

Today USC Head Coach, Darrin Horn,  discussed with the media what areas his team needs to improve in to get that first league W, and preview the crimson Tide.  USC and Alabama will tip-off in Columbia tomorrow night at 8:00.

AUDIO: Darrin Horn

By: Rixon Lane

Former Newberry head coach Zak Willis has just finished his first season as a recruiting coordinator and special teams coach with the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks. Coach Willis joined SportsTalk this evening to discuss recruiting, his new gig with the Redhawks, and his time in the Palmetto State.

AUDIO: Zak Willis

Barclay Radebaugh

The Charleston Southern basketball team is quietly having a quality season down in the low country.  The Buccaneers are 12th in the nation in scoring, averaging close to 81 points a contest, and are 12-7 on the year.  Coach Radebaugh is also quick to point out the fact that two of those losses came in heartbreaking fashion.

  Tonight we welcomed Coach Radebaugh into SportsTalk for the first time all season to talk about his Buccaneers quality season thus far, and what he believes his squad needs to do to improve headed towards tournament time, and finish the season strong.   

Charleston Southern will host Winthrop tomorrow night at 5:30 at the “Buc Dome”.

AUDIO: Barclay Radebaugh

Everette Sands

On Monday USC Head Football Coach, Steve Spurrier, hired former Citadel Bulldog, and Conway native, Everette Sands, to fill the running backs coach position vacated by Jay Graham in early December.  

 Tonight we welcomed Coach Sands to SportsTalk for the first time to discuss the recent history of his coaching career at N.C. State; his time as a player at The Citadel; and what his expectations are in Columbia.

AUDIO: Everette Sands

By: Brian Rauf

For the past three nights, John Hoover of the Tulsa World News has joined us to talk about the possibility of Oklahoma’s now former defensive coordinator Brent Venables joining Clemson’s football staff in the same position.  Today, it was officially announced that Venables took the job at Clemson, and will be introduced as the newest member of Dabo Swinney’s staff tomorrow. 

Hoover discussed this hire with us today on SportsTalk (audio link below).

Venables will be tasked with leading the nation’s 81st-ranked scoring defense into the 2012 season.  He will be replacing Kevin Steele, who was let go by the Tigers late last week.

AUDIO: John Hoover talks Venables hire 1.19.12

Kirk Botkin

Last Friday the USC football team filled one of its coaching vacancies when Head Coach, Steve Spurrier, pulled the trigger on Kirk Botkin to become his squads linebackers coach.  Earlier today the Korn and the Wild Man, Bill Gunter, caught up with Botkin on “SportsTalk First Edition”, on 560 the team, to get his thoughts on being the man Spurrier has dawned to coach up a significant portion of his defense.

Botkins provides insight into his past coaching stops, once being a roommate with his new boss, and where he gets his palpable energy from.

AUDIO: Kirk Botkin