Sumter RB's pledge keeps Tigers on a roll

Clemson finished up the 2008 football recruiting season with a bang on Signing Day, and the Tigers' recruiting momentum continued the next day with a commitment from running back Roderick McDowell (5-10, 175) of Sumter.

"To better myself, I feel Clemson is a good school for me," McDowell said. "My offense plays like Clemson's and I'll be comfortable in their offense." And the presence of highly rated running back Jamie Harper in this year's Clemson class obviously did not dissuade McDowell from wanting to join the Tigers. "Harper is going to bring out the best in me," he said, "and I'm going to bring out the best in him." McDowell rushed for 1,398 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He also has offers from South Carolina and Kentucky. He's the third commitment for the 2009 Clemson class.

Clemson had unofficial visits from two junior prospects Saturday, and the Tigers are in strong shape with both. WR Rico Sanders (5-11, 180) of Byrnes has offers from Clemson and Georgia and is also getting interest from USC. "Clemson is my favorite right now," Sanders said. "I've been thinking about it (committing) a lot, but I'm going to wait until other offers come in." Sanders will visit Georgia on March 22. Last season, he caught 51 passes for 819 yards and 13 TDs.

RB/DE Tyler Shatley (6-3, 250) of Connellys Springs, N.C., also visited Clemson on Saturday and told CUTigers.com afterward that Clemson is his current favorite. He also has offers from N.C. State and Wake Forest. Shatley rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

If interested, USC could pull in OL Justin Green (6-4, 365) of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Green planned to sign last week with South Florida until an academic committee at the school did not approve him. He told the Tampa Tribune he's now considering old offers from USC, North Carolina and Ole Miss. It's not known if USC's offer is still valid.

Newberry announced several additional signees the day after Signing Day: WR BJ Blanding (6-4, 185) of Pendleton; RB Oquendo Curry (5-9, 210) of Strom Thurmond; OL Russell Feaster (6-5 265) of South Pointe; DE Aikeem Jackson (6-4, 245) of Providence Christian in North Augusta; RB Josh James (5-11, 205) of Wade Hampton; RB Ethan Lane (6-1, 230) of Kennesaw, Ga.; OL Josh Lowery (6-5, 315) of Union County; PK Joseph Morris (5-10, 160) of Buford, Ga.; WR Brandon Owen (6-0, 185) of Belton-Honea Path; RB Travis Riner (5-9, 210) of Midland Valley; ATH Jared Shaw (5-10, 180) of Fort Mill; LB Rollin Stephens (5-9, 180) of Midland Valley, OL Taylor Stone (6-2, 265) of Midland Valley; WR Andrew Thompson (6-0, 185) of Bluffton, Ga.; OL Theo Thurmond (6-0, 260) of Strom Thurmond; and LB Jeff White (5-9 180) of Fort Mill.

DB J.J. Suber (6-4 210) of Newberry has an offer from UNC and is getting interest from USC and Auburn. He attended USC's junior day earlier this month.

Richland Northeast DE Chris Bonds (6-4, 270) picked up an offer from Alabama and should get one soon from LSU, according to his coach, Jay Frye. Bonds also has offers from USC, Clemson, Miami, Auburn, Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, Notre Dame, Illinois and Maryland. Bonds attended USC's junior day and will be going to Georgia and Virginia later this month.

ATH David Sims (6-0, 208) of Calhoun County attended junior day at Wake Forest on Saturday and picked up an offer from the Demon Deacons. He also has offers from USC, Alabama, Kentucky, UNC, Marshall and Tennessee. He has an early top three of USC, Alabama and Tennessee.

Columbia High DB DaMario Jeffrey (6-3 210) has offers from USC, Clemson, UNC, Virginia Tech, Alabama and Marshall. He attended USC's junior day and got a good feel for what the Gamecocks would do with him. "They are telling me strong safety," he said. "I was with (secondary coaches) Shane Beamer and Ron Cooper during the position meetings. They are cool coaches." Jeffrey plans to attend junior days at UNC and Alabama.