Gilmore close to decision

Decision time may be coming soon for South Pointe standout defensive back Stephon Gilmore (6-2, 195). He made an official visit to Alabama over the weekend and could have an announcement Friday.

Gilmore also has taken official visits to USC and Tennessee. He told the Alabama fan Web site BamaOnLine.com after his visit to Tuscaloosa that he might take an official visit to Clemson before making a decision. But if he decides not to, he will hold a press conference Friday and announce for either the Gamecocks, Crimson Tide or Vols.

In other recruiting news: Clemson is very much alive for DB Branden Smith (5-11, 170) of Atlanta. He has settled on his five official visits including one to Clemson on Nov. 29. The others will be Florida this weekend, Tennessee on Oct. 25, Auburn on Nov. 15 and Georgia. Smith says he hasn't actually eliminated any of the schools that have offered and he won't announce a decision until the Under Armour All Star Game on Jan. 4. He does not claim a favorite.

USC increased the number of 2009 fresh commitment to 17 last week with pledges from OL Johnnie Farms (6-3, 305) of Perry, Ga., and LB Josh Dickerson (6-2, 220) of Georgia Military JC. The Gamecocks actually are sitting on 19 recruits with the expected re-signing of two 2008 recruits who did not qualify. DE Chaz Sutton and DE Ronald Byrd are at Fork Union Prep, Va., and hope to be eligible to join the Gamecocks next semester.

Richland Northeast's Chris Bonds has visited Notre Dame and has two other visits now set. He will go to Alabama on Oct. 18 and Tennessee the following week. He's considering USC, Michigan and Southern Cal for his other visits.

USC target DE Derrick Lott (6-5, 270) of Kennesaw, Ga., was offered late last week by Georgia. The Gamecocks have been in good shape with Lott but with the offer, Georgia is expected to move into a strong position. Lott also has offers from Louisville, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Central Florida and Ole Miss.

OL Quinton Washington (6-4, 315) of Timberland made an official visit to Michigan on Sept. 27 and was impressed. And the Wolverines are impressed with him. "To my understanding, he's their number one lineman they are going after in the nation," said Timberland coach Art Craig. Washington will set visits with Clemson and USC, and he's looking at Alabama, Tennessee and Miami for his final visits.

WR Jheranie Boyd (6-3, 185) made an official visit to Oklahoma on Sept. 27 and now counts the Sooners among his favorites. He also likes Clemson, North Carolina, Florida, N.C. State, Missouri and Illinois. He was scheduled for an official visit to N.C. State over the weekend and will visit Illinois, Florida and Missouri over the next three weekends. Clemson won't get an official visit because he's been there several times but remains a factor.

QB A.J. Graham of Tallahassee claims a Clemson offer and says the Tigers are keeping in touch. He also has offers from Kansas State, Illinois, Central Michigan and Marshall.

Greenwood DB Byron Best (5-9, 180) is sitting on offers from North Carolina, Marshall, S.C. State and Gardner-Webb, and is hoping for one from USC.

LB Jerod Askew (6-0, 230) of Chesapeake, Va., plans to set an official visit with Clemson. He was scheduled for an official visit to Tennessee over the weekend and is scheduled for Maryland on Oct. 18. He also plans to visit Alabama and West Virginia.

Clemson no longer is in the running for DB Zeke Motta (6-3, 210) of Vero Beach, Fla., as he cut his list to Florida, Auburn, Notre Dame and Boston College.

LB Roderick Blunt (6-2, 210) of Miramar, son of former Clemson running back Rodney Blunt, favors the Tigers but hasn't been offered by them. He says his offers are USC, Purdue and Wisconsin. He also likes Georgia, Auburn and Florida State.

DE Justin Jones (6-8, 250) of Conyers, Ga., de-committed from Kentucky last week and now is looking at USC, UAB, ECU, Akron and Delaware. He's also hearing from Alabama, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame.

USC is interested in OL James Carpenter (6-5 300) of Coffeyville JC, KS. He's a native of Augusta who signed with Iowa State out of high school. He has three years to play two at the next level. The Gamecocks have not offered and are evaluating new film on him. Carpenter has offers from Kansas, Iowa State, Ole Miss, UAB, Florida International and Oklahoma State. He has a visit set with Iowa State for October 18th.

Clemson will get one of the official visits of DL Brandon Moore (6-6 318) of Montgomery, AL. He also wants to visit Florida, Miami and Tennessee, or schools like that. Alabama and Auburn also are involved but he's not planning official visits with them since he's been to both several times on his own.

Clemson has been showing some interest in DL Corey Gaines (6-1 275) of Tallahassee. He has offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Rutgers, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Iowa State, Central Florida, South Florida and others.

SC State has offered LB Devekeyan Lattimore (6-1 220) of Athens GA. He also has offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Oklahoma State, South Florida, Central Florida, Marshall, Alabama State and UAB.

AC Flora LB Conor Hozey (6-1 225) has been offered by Army. He's also getting interest from The Citadel, Navy and several Ivy League schools.

Flora WR/DB Carlos McCoy (5-7 160) has an offer from Newberry plus interest from SC State and Middle Tennessee State.

AC Flora PK/P Grant Clayton (5-7 165) has an offer from Air Force and is hearing from Western Kentucky, Central Florida, Rutgers and Maryland.

And Falcons OL Trip Watson (6-3 240) is hearing from a number of Ivy League schools.

DE Josh Roseborough (6-3 220) of Fairfield Central is getting interest from Wofford, Duke and Presbyterian.

Fairfield Central QB Justin Trapp (6-0 180) has an offer from Presbyterian and is hearing from Coastal Carolina and Kentcky. Trapp has been committed to the College of Charleston for baseball but is reconsidering now that he has the football offers.

Fairfield Central WR McKendrix Thompson (6-1 185) is hearing from Coastal Carolina, SC State and Kentucky.

Sumter LB Quinn McClendon (6-4 215) was scheduled for an unofficial visit to Coastal Carolina Saturday. He has an offer from Kentucky.

Timberland RB Rockarious King (5-7 190) has offers from SC State and Newberry.

USC and Clemson missed on DE Kedric Johnson (6-4 215) of Palmetto, FL when he committed last week to Florida.

Basketball News:

USC is interested in 6-11 senior Hassan Whiteside of Lenoir, NC. He's also looking at Kentucky, Xavier, Mississippi State, Syracuse, Nevada and others. He does not plan to sign until the spring.

Several major college coaches have stopped by Ridge View to check on 6-8 junior Mike Green according to coach John Combs. Coaches from USC, Clemson, Auburn, Winthrop, Wichita State and Virginia Tech are showing interest.

Clemson is strongly involved with 6-2 junior Ian Miller of Charlotte. Florida, Kentucky and Florida State are three others showing strong interest. Miller has visited Clemson, Florida and Charlotte and will visit Kentucky unofficially this weekend. He plans a return trip to Clemson for October 18th. Miller said he remains open and does not have a favorite or a timetable for a decision.