William Turner wrote that his father died of cancer recently and was a huge Gamecock fan. Turner went on to write: "Stay home and make history. … We need you and you would start day one. No travel. Home cooking. People who love you from the days."
Rock Hill Herald sports writer Barry Byers, who covered Clowney throughout his high school career, thinks the prized recruit doesn't need any convincing.
"He's a real strong family kid," Byers said. "He wants to stay close to home, plus two of his good friends are going there. He has a tough time saying no to his friends."
Brothers
Gerald Dixon Jr. (Northwestern) and
Gerald G. Dixon (South Pointe) have committed to the Gamecocks. Both are beefy defensive linemen and sons of former Gamecock linebacker and 10-year NFL veteran Gerald Dixon Sr.
Clowney would be the crowning jewel on a class that already features 26 commits and is ranked No. 9 in MaxPreps.com Football Editor Stephen Spiewak's
Top 20 recruiting classes.
"In my 28 years of coaching, he stands alone," South Pointe coach Bobby Carroll told MaxPreps senior writer Dave Krider. "He's an absolutely phenomenal player. I knew he'd be a defensive player. I'm a defensive coach. He's an unbelievable pass rusher. He's so dang fast. Coach Saban (Alabama's Nick Saban) talks about his motor that runs all the time. Coach Tressel (Ohio State's Jim Tressel) texted me and said he is one of the most humble kids he'd seen in a long time."
Byers called Clowney the best player he's seen in 31 years of reporting.
"He's a big ol' kid in a beast's body," Byers said. "He likes to laugh and smile. Everyone loves him."
Especially in South Carolina.
Here are the odds on where we think Clowney will end up:
