South Carolina Gamecocks football recruit Ahmad Christian seems to have a choice to make before fall and that is whether to pursue football or baseball.  Another layer to that baseball choice is the outside possiblity that he will be drafted and could follow that dream. 

Watch this video to gain a understanding of what I am talking about:

Could not imagine what to do here with the possilibity to do three things or one could say four with playing baseball and football at USC.  What would you do?

The South Carolina Gamecocks football freshman class has been given the ranking of sixteenth by Phil Steele.  This is about right given the talent coming for Coach Spurrier.

His rankings are based on:
"They take into account the strength of the Top 5 signees, the Top 10 signees and the average signing grade per player for the overall class. This list is not about the quantity of the freshmen signed but the overall quality of the class. Sometimes a team with a small class of just 15 players may rate higher than one with 30."

The SEC led the way with 9 teams in his top 25 led by Bama. 

Here is his Top 25 or I've listed it below:

Lorenzo Mauldin, we love you and we want you at South Carolina.  Get those grades right and come play football at USC.

After saying that, go read this article -> HERE <- from the AJC on Mauldin and his post-signing day thoughts.  Mauldin didn’t end up signing with South Carolina as many were expecting leading up to the 2011 Signing Day.  This blog shared with you that he was not going to sign and it seems Mauldin "found out via a letter faxed to his school the day before national signing day that the Gamecocks would not have room for him in their Class of 2011."

Mauldin and Jordan Montgomery of Groveland, Fla., did not sign with South Carolina yet both have the door open to come play football at South Carolina.  I find it interesting how it took place for Mauldin, in how he found out and he has every right to be pissed as I would.  Here is what Mauldin said about the situation....

“I kind of feel like I’ve been shoved away,” Mauldin told me recently. “Then again, on the other hand, I realize that I wasn’t academically eligible and I understand that was on my part. And I can’t really use the times I’ve been through as an excuse for that. It’s all right.”

What are your thoughts on the situation?  Seems this is the problem with oversigning and how college recruiting can have a unpleasant side.

Lexington WR Shaq Roland (6-2 180), who is considered by most observers to be the top prospect in the state for next season, has decided on a final four and the Gamecocks made the cut. 

Earlier this week it was made known that Roland is still considering, in order of preference, USC, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.  It was also shared that before football season starts, he will commit in the summer.  (So no Clowney drama with this one.)

Many feel, as does his high school coach and this blog, that the Gamecocks are a firm leader for Roland. “He likes that it’s real close to home, real close to his momma and the people of Lexington,” said. “That’s big for him for them to be able to see him play.” (Heard this before?  See Clowney and Lattimore)

Roland last season caught 58 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for 684 yards and 10 touchdowns, had 3 interceptions returning two for scores, and he passed for six scores. In all, he accounted for 39 touchdowns last season.  He even helped fill gatorade cups on the sideline...alright I am joking on the last one there but you get the point that this is a special player.

USC needs to do all they can do to land Roland.  He is a play-maker and a offensive weapon that will play earlier and often.

Let's all welcome Jadeveon Clowney to South Carolina Gamecocks Football.

College football at the Universtiy of South Carolina just improved greatly on defense as the nation's top high school recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, chose the Gamecocks over the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.  The choice was made today on ESPN at the 10:15 am ceremony.

He said having friends at USC and the ability for his momma to come to games was a factor.  He also said that he will have no issues getting into USC as far as grades.  He credited Ellis Johnson and Lorenzo Ward, South Carolina coaches, for helping him understand how he will fit into the USC defense and recruiting him. (God bless them!)

This is a huge pick-up for Coach Spurrier as Clowney will be a national standout at defensive end. The 6-6, 252-pound defensive end was one of the most highly recruited players and is expected to step right in and make an immediate impact on the Gamecocks' defensive line. He is already penciled in as the starter at DE, now that Cliff Matthews has graduated and gone on to the NFL.

Clowney won South Carolina's "Mr. Football" award last season.  He had 162 tackles and 29 1/2 sacks, caused 11 fumbles and scored five defensive touchdowns. The South Pointe Stallions also put him in the backfield and he had 20 carries for 274 yards and nine TDs.

With the signing of the LOI from Clowney, the Gamecocks strengthen their "favorite" status to repeat as SEC Champs in 2011.  Heck, could say the same now for 2012 and 2013.

Clowney's announcement improved the Gamecocks' rankings among recruiting services, as they went from 24th to 15th on ESPN.com, 20th to 18th on Rivals.com and 13th to 11th on Scout.com.  Clowney is the Gamecocks 32nd signee.

Welcome Mr. Clowney as you proved me right.  Also Happy Birthday.  No go study and lift weights as the 2011 season has begun.  Go Cocks!

The nation’s top high school football player is poised to make a college choice that could change the dynamics of the college football landscape and increase the chances of success for the team he chooses. 

Let’s lay out five reasons why Jadeveon Clowney chooses South Carolina over Clemson for his football dominating services for the next three years:

Well here we sit jwith less than 48 hours until the nation's top recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, selects the University of South Carolina as his college choice.  There has been some interesting tidbits of info to report of late so here is your required reading for today to bring you up to speed on the "Clowney Watch." 

Read more...

At this point, only two people know where the nation's top football recruit, South Pointe defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, will attend college in 2011.  He and his momma.

Clowney interviewed with Josh Kendall of The State Thursday afternoon and told him that he has made his college decision. Clowney did re-confirm that the choice will be made public on Monday morning at 10:15 am at his school and the only person who knows what the choice, his mother.

Clowney told Kendall that he based his decision on “who I felt at home around the most and how I’m going to feel when I’m playing with the people.” (How do you read this?  I say USC due to where he has friends on the football team).

Clowney said he took calls Wednesday from USC’s Steve Spurrier and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. He also talked with an Alabama coach earlier in the week.  Still no word on whether he will attend the USC or Clemson home game this weekend.

I still feel, as I have for about a year now, that he will end up at South Carolina.  I tell myself that I should not worry....should I?

The nation's top high school football recruit, Jadeveon Clowney, has set his announcement for 10:15 am on February 14th.  It will take place at his high school, South Pointe, and be aired on ESPN.  Sportscenter is suppose to cover it live so tune in starting at 10:15am and celebrate Clowney's birthday with him as makes it known where he will play.

Expect many to cover this, twitter to explode with the news and the Clemson message board to erupt as he chooses THE University of South Carolina.  Yeah, the Tigers are making a late push but it will not be enough.

So go ahead and make plans to watch this as he makes it known that he will be a Gamecock.

Related LOHD Posts
Update on Jadeveon Clowney and Video
Jadeveon Clowney - "Physically he's a freak"
Video Evidence Why Jadeveon Clowney is Nation's Best
As the Fans Said - "We Want Clowney"
Facebook Page Urges Jadeveon Clowney for South Carolina

Here is a depth chart using the USC Gamecocks recruiting class for 2011.  The purpose of this is to show how the class is balanced, adds depth to the current roster and overall addresses the team's needs in building a solid foundation for the future.  It may not have all the "stars" but again it is a solid class for Coach Spurrier and certainly positions them for success in 2011 and beyond.

Take a look at what I am talking about: