Sought-after TE Trigliacommits to Gamecocks
South Carolina's biggest recruiting weekend of the campaign resulted in the 20th football commitment for the 2008 class in tight end Mike Triglia (6-4, 234) of Jacksonville, Fla.
Triglia received an offer from Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier on Sunday and committed on the spot.
"They think I'm a smart player," Triglia said of his evaluation by tight ends coach Ray Rychleski and receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. "The thing that caught my attention is they've never had an SEC championship. Hopefully, we can bring the first one to South Carolina. That would be an awesome thing."
Triglia also drew interest from Georgia Tech, Illinois, Memphis and Southern Miss. He caught 18 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns this season.
The Gamecocks' recruiting weekend continued through Sunday night due to the late arrival of defensive end Glenn Harbin (6-5, 245) of Mobile, Ala. Harbin started his USC visit Sunday after completing a trip to North Carolina. He also has visited Alabama. He is scheduled to visit LSU and Florida but said he's not sure if he'll make those visits. He has Alabama and North Carolina at the top of his list right now.
Eight other prospects made their visits with the Gamecocks, five of whom are uncommitted.
Offensive linemen Jonathan Cooper (6-3, 305) of Wilmington, N.C., and R.J. Mattes (6-7, 287) of Concord, N.C., were among the group checking out the Gamecocks. Cooper also has visited North Carolina and is scheduled to visit Wake Forest and North Carolina State before deciding. Mattes committed to N.C. State on Sunday after his visit to Columbia. He also considered Clemson, North Carolina and Virginia.
Three receiver prospects also were brought in over the weekend. Jaron Brown (6-3, 190) of Cheraw also has visited Clemson and is scheduled to visit Michigan this weekend. He had his in-person visit with Spurrier last week.
Tommy Streeter (6-5, 200) of Miami also has visited Boston College and is scheduled to visit South Florida this weekend.
And T.J. Lawrence (6-2, 190) of Lakeland, Fla., also has visited Virginia Tech and Florida and is scheduled to visit Michigan this weekend.
The other three weekend visitors had previously committed and remain firm with their pledge. They are defensive back Jarrett Burns of Huntsville, Ala., OL T.J. Johnson of Aynor and running back Kenny Miles of Snellville, Ga. Tennessee has been showing interest in Burns and plans to contact him this week about a possible offer and visit, but he said he probably would not make a visit.
DE Jomarcus Savage (6-3, 262) of Huntsville, Ala., had scheduled a visit to USC but has scratched that for now. He visited Tennessee over the weekend. He also has visited Auburn. Spurrier and USC recruiter Ron Cooper met with Savage last week.
In other recruiting news:
Clemson only had two official visits over the weekend in committed quarterback Jon Richt and defensive lineman Jeremy Lewis (6-3 300) of Palm Beach, Fla. Richt remains firm with his pledge to the Tigers.
Lewis has been committed to Miami but is looking around. He also has visited LSU and Tennessee and will visit Miami this coming week. He's expecting Clemson coach Tommy Bowden to make an in-home visit this week.
The biggest news for Clemson was about a visit that didn't happen. RB Jamie Harper (6-0, 222) of Jacksonville, Fla., canceled his visit to Florida and is not sure he'll reschedule. The Gators were thought to be the Tigers' biggest competition for Harper. He's still thinking about visiting Florida State and Miami over the next two weekends. Clemson's Bowden made his in-home visits with Harper last week. "We didn't talk too much about recruiting, we were just getting to know one another," Harper said. He said he does not have a favorite and won't announce a decision until Signing Day.
Another Tigers target canceling a weekend visit was OL Ben Jones (6-6, 295) of Miami. He was supposed to visit LSU. He's favoring Clemson and Miami and is scheduled to visit Ohio State this coming weekend, though he might change that to Tennessee. He is scheduled to visit Miami the next weekend. Jones is expecting Hurricanes head coach Randy Shannon to make his in- home visit this week. Clemson assistant David Blackwell visited last week. Tommy Bowden has not yet visited him.
Fort Dorchester LB Robert Quinn (6-6, 255) made his official visit to North Carolina over the weekend. He's also been to Alabama and Auburn. USC met with him last week in hopes of getting him in for a visit but thus far he won't commit to one. "I'm just going to chill back for a while and try to forget about all this recruiting stuff for the time being," Quinn said. UNC head coach Butch Davis made his in-person visit last week. Quinn does not claim a favorite.
USC offered LB Sterling Lucas (6-2, 220) of Orangeburg-Wilkinson last week after he met with recruiters Shane Beamer, Brian VanGorder and Brad Lawing. "They told me they want me to come to South Carolina and play middle linebacker," Lucas said. Wake Forest also offered him last week. Lucas visited North Carolina over the weekend. He also has been to N.C. State. He will visit Maryland this coming weekend and plans to visit USC on Feb. 1.
DB J.T. Floyd (6-0, 185) of J.L. Mann made his official visit to Michigan over the weekend. "I found out this South Carolina guy can take the cold," Floyd said. He's also visited Georgia Tech and is scheduled to visit Tennessee this coming weekend.
Clemson is awaiting a decision from DL Brandon Thompson (6-2, 275) of Thomasville, Ga. Tommy Bowden and three assistants made their in-home visit late last week. The decision could come the middle of this week, according to Thompson's father. "It's still basically Clemson ... well, it's going to be a very hard decision," George Thompson said. "All are special places and we've met a lot of great people." Brandon Thompson visited Clemson, LSU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Tennessee officially, and Florida State unofficially.
The Citadel added commitments from: DL Jake Moorer (6-3, 210) of Birmingham, Ala., according to the Birmingham News; OL Nate Gerber (6-3, 260) of Johnstown, Pa., according to the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat; WR Dequan Coles of Dinwiddie, Va., according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch; TE James Robey (6-3, 210) of Columbus, N.C., according to The Post and Courier; Kenny Melvin of Tallahassee, Fla., according to the Tallahassee Democrat; WR Kevin Hardy (6-0, 175) of Ocala, Fla., according to the Ocala Star-Banner; and DB Keith Gamble (5-11, 165) of Crestwood.
OL Zeb Sanders (6-6, 273) of Clayton, Ohio, made an official visit to Florida State over the weekend and committed to the Seminoles. USC had been working him for a visit but was not able to get one scheduled.
DE William Green (6-4, 215) of Hoover, Ala., visited Florida over the weekend. He also has visited Auburn and will visit Clemson this coming weekend. He's considering Alabama or Tennessee for his final visit.
LB J.B. Shippy (5-11, 200) of Gaffney was scheduled to visit Georgia Southern over the weekend. He also has visited Liberty and is scheduled to visit Newberry on Feb. 1.
DB Brian Harrison (6-0, 190) of Orangeburg-Wilkinson was scheduled to visit Coastal Carolina over the weekend. He also has been to Gardner-Webb and will visit Hampton this coming weekend. He also likes S.C. State.
DE DeOndre Richburg (6-3, 215) of Berkeley has committed to Newberry.
LB Jerrell Harris (6-4, 215) of Gadsden, Ala., visited Auburn over the weekend. He's also been to Clemson and Alabama and is scheduled to visit Southern Cal and Tennessee over the next two weekends. Tommy Bowden met with Harris last week and Clemson is a strong factor with him.
Bowden also dropped in on OL Antoine McClain (6-6, 294) of Anniston, Ala., last week. McClain visited Tennessee over the weekend and has trips to Auburn and LSU coming up. He has visited Clemson.
TE Dwayne Allen (6-4, 240) of Fayetteville, N.C., was making his official visit to North Carolina through Sunday. He's also been to Georgia and Florida State and is scheduled to visit Clemson this weekend and Virginia Tech the following weekend. Allen has been committed to Georgia.
Clemson is showing interest in RB David Arnold (6-0, 202) of Valdosta, Ga., according to his coach Rick Tomberlin.
"I think they like him a lot, but there's a numbers thing," Tomberlin said. "But Clemson is the one he really wants."
Arnold was scheduled to visit Georgia Southern over the weekend and he has Middle Tennessee State scheduled for this weekend. He's also hearing from N.C. State. Arnold rushed for 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
Beaufort DE Devin Taylor (6-6, 220) made his official visit to Duke over the weekend and then went over to N.C. State for an official visit over the MLK holiday. He also has been to USC and Wake Forest and is scheduled to visit Virginia Tech this weekend. Wake head coach Jim Grobe made his in-person visit last week.
Clemson coaches Brad Scott and Andre Powell visited OL Bobby Massie (6-7, 315) of Lynchburg, Va., last week. Massie, who backed off a commitment to Virginia Tech, will attend Hargrave Prep, Va., next fall but Clemson would like to sign and place him. He is scheduled for an official visit to Clemson this weekend.
Wofford gained commitments from: DE Eric Eberhardt (6-1, 240) of Suwanee, Ga., and OL Calvin Cantrell (6-3, 235) of Dacula, Ga., according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; RB Tevon Boards (6-0, 200) of Bowling Green, Ky., according to the Bowling Green Daily News; and DB Brian Youman (5-8, 183) of Clermont, Fla., according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Presbyterian gained Shrine Bowl DB Steven Thomas (6-1, 190) of Dorman.
Crestwood TE James Dugas (6-1, 220) committed to Gardner-Webb.
Former USC DE Curtis Rice (6-3, 250) is transferring to Newberry as is former Tennessee DE Andrew Koscela (6-4, 240).
Newberry picked up a commitment from Hanahan QB John Carnell (6-3, 230). He passed for 3,871 yards and 40 TDs this season. Also committing to Newberry are DL Bruce Bagley (6-4, 280) of Ridge View, DE Ben Parker (6-3, 270) of Woodmont, ATH Brian Ehrlick (6-2 190) of San Antonio, TX and DE DeOndre Richburg (6-3, 225) of Berkeley.
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