Spurrier believes new recruits will improve USC

Following his team's 50-point loss to Florida on Saturday, South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier lamented the obvious talent difference in the teams. However, he pointed out that with the 2009 recruiting class his staff is compiling, he believes help for his team is on the way.

Spurrier had to be buoyed by the Friday night commitment from defensive back Devonte Holloman (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) of South Pointe High School in Rock Hill. Holloman, one of the top safety prospects in the country, is the type of player USC has to successfully recruit to compete on an annual basis with the best in the Southeastern Conference.

The Gamecocks hope to add a Holloman type recruit in the near future in running back Jarvis Giles (6-0, 180). Giles was committed to Tennessee before the coaching change there. He made an official visit to USC for the Arkansas weekend and is giving the Gamecocks a hard look.

"I'm still undecided right now," Giles said on Sunday. "I do like South Carolina. I like USC, don't get me wrong. But, I don't have a favorite right now."

Giles, who is from Tampa, Fla., said he might visit Nebraska on Nov. 29 and he's also looking at Mississippi. He said he could have a decision in a couple of weeks or might wait until his all-star game in January. Like Holloman, Giles is a December graduate and can enroll in January.

Another top safety prospect strong on USC is Jonathan Scott (6-4, 185) of Daytona Beach, Fla. He made his official visit for the Arkansas weekend. "I enjoyed everything," Scott said. "They keep three safeties on the field and you never know where they're coming from. I like that."

Scott also has visited Alabama and West Virginia and is looking at Florida State, Louisiana State and Ole Miss for his final visits.

Another casualty for Tennessee as a result of the coaching change, and possibly another pickup for USC, is DB DJ Swearinger (6-0, 200) of Greenwood High. He de-committed from the Volunteers last week and is now looking hard at USC "and any other schools that come in on me." Swearinger also has been hearing from Wake Forest, Maryland and Michigan. He attended USC's final three home games. "They would be my favorite right now," he said of the Gamecocks.

Wide receiver Lamar Scruggs (6-4, 212) of Jacksonville, Fla., attended the Arkansas-USC game and has the Gamecocks in his top five with Florida, South Florida, Illinois and LSU. He has not set official visits. Former Clemson commitment ATH Larry Raper (5-11, 165) of Shelby, N.C., now favors North Carolina after visiting there for the Georgia Tech game. Raper plans to take official visits to Clemson, USC, UNC and North Carolina State. He is scheduled for N.C. State on Nov. 29.

Clemson commitment linebacker Quandon Christian (6-4, 210) of Lake View High was offered last week by N.C. State and plans to take an unofficial visit to Raleigh on Saturday with his head coach. Christian called his commitment to Clemson "very firm." Clemson and LSU will be two of the official visits for WR Kendall Kelly (6-3, 215) of Gadsden, Ala. He's also looking at Alabama, Auburn, Florida, FSU, Oregon and Southern California.

Defensive lineman Brandon Moore (6-6, 318) of Montgomery, Ala., has set official visits with Florida on Dec. 13, Clemson on Jan. 10, 2009, Miami on Jan. 17 and Alabama on Jan. 24. He is also considering Auburn. Defensive end Chris Bonds (6-4, 283) of Richland Northeast High in Columbia could have a decision within a couple of weeks, his head coach, Jay Frye, said late last week. "I think it's pretty close," Frye said. Bonds is down to Alabama, Notre Dame and Southern Cal.

Greenwood DE Sam Montgomery (6-5, 240) said last week he'll set official visits with Michigan and Southern Cal. For his other visits he's looking at Clemson, USC, LSU, N.C. State, UNC, Miami, Florida, FSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Oregon and Oklahoma. He attended USC's last three home games and feels good about the Gamecocks. As for Clemson, Montgomery is more concerned about the defensive coordinator than the head coach. "It's all about Coach (Vic) Koeninng," Montgomery said of his Clemson recruiter. "If he's not there, I probably won't be interested any more."

WR Alshon Jeffrey (6-3, 217) of Calhoun County High in St. Matthews insists he's still a Southern Cal commitment, but he plans to take visits to USC, UNC and Kentucky. The Tar Heels and Wildcats also are talking with him about basketball. "That doesn't matter," he said. "I'm still a football player even though basketball is my first love." Jeffrey attended four USC game this season.

USC commitment LB Tony Straughter (6-1, 211) of Georgia Military Junior College is giving some thought to switching to South Florida for family reasons. Straughter is a native of Madison, Fla., and his father, who is paralyzed from the waist down, would have more opportunities to see him in Tampa versus Columbia. "The only school that would change my mind is USC," said Straughter, who has not yet been offered by the Bulls. He is scheduled to visit West Virginia on Dec. 6 with his teammate and fellow USC commitment LB Josh Dickerson, but he said he's not seriously considering the Mountaineers.

Offensive lineman James Carpenter (6-5, 300) of Coffeyville JC in Kansas said USC is passing on him because USC may not accept all of his courses. He is down to Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama and Ole Miss.

Clemson has had recent contact with DE Ryan Robinson (6-5, 245) of Atlanta but has not yet offered. Robinson has had an offer from USC, but not much recent contact from the Gamecocks. He hopes to take visits to both. USC commitment OL Johnnie Farms (6-3, 306) of Perry, Ga., made an unofficial visit for the Arkansas game and has scheduled his official visit for Dec. 13. He remains firm with his pledge.

DB Jonathan Meeks (6-2, 193) of Hargrave Prep in Virginia planned to take an official visit to N.C. State over the weekend. He has visited UNC and he plans to set dates with Florida and Tennessee. The Rock Hill native also is looking at USC, Clemson and Penn State. He plans to take an unofficial visit to Clemson for the USC game. Meeks will graduate in December. DE Duane Chisolm (6-4, 245) of Beaufort High has official visits set with USC for Jan. 17 and N.C. State on Jan. 24. He's also getting strong interest from Alabama and FSU.

One-time USC target WR Steadman Bailey (5-11, 185) of Miramar, Fla., committed to West Virginia.

DB Walt Canty (5-11, 198) of Dorman High in Roebuck committed to Duke last week, joining teammate DB Taylor Sowell as Blue Devil commitments. He's the fourth prospect from South Carolina to commit to Duke. Dorman OL Malcolm Boyd (6-3, 270) committed to Liberty. Boyd was added to the Shrine Bowl roster in place of his injured teammate OL Brandon Thomas (6-4, 285). Thomas remains a Clemson commitment, but plans to take an official visit to Florida in January. He also wants to visit Clemson, USC and UNC. DL Jibrille Sewell (6-2, 275) of South Pointe, who did not play his senior season, has committed to Buffalo.

Basketball News: Clemson and USC signed their committed prospects last Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. Inking with the Tigers were 6-9 Milton Jennings of Pinewood Prep in Summerville, 6-7 Devin Booker of Union County High and 6-5 Donte Hill of Virginia Beach, Va. The Tigers class is ranked 18th by Scout.com and 25th by ESPN.com. UNC is the consensus No. 1 class in the early signing period.

The Gamecocks signed 6-5 Lakeem Jackson of Arden, N.C., and 6-2 Ramon Galloway of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The Gamecocks will not sign 6-8 Keith Clanton of Orlando, Fla. He will choose either South Florida or Central Florida. The Gamecocks remain involved with 6-4 Sherrod Wright of Mount Vernon, N.Y.

The Clemson women signed 5-6 Keyrra Gillespie of Statesville, N.C. She's the reigning Ms. Basketball in North Carolina. Presbyterian signed 6-2 Travis Smith of Porter-Gaud in Charelston, Furman signed twin brothers 6-5 Charlie Reddick and 6-9 Colin Reddick of Powder Springs, Ga, The Citadel signed 6-5 Harrison DuPont of Midwest City, Okla., and USC Upstate signed 6-2 Sharod Minus of Miami Dade JC.

Baseball News: USC gained a commitment for the 2011 class from shortstop Mikal Hill of Charlotte. The switch-hitter is regarded as one of the top prospects in North Carolina.