Wade Hampton wide receiver
Hakeem Flowers announced his college intentions on Sunday, choosing the N.C. State Wolfpack.
"I went on a visit to Michigan in November, and I had a good time," Flowers told the Greenville News. "But when I went to N.C. State, I felt at home and had a good time. I know a bunch of people there, and it's just the right pick for me."
Flowers told the paper that he committed to Michigan in December, but changed his mind after coach Rich Rodriguez was fired.
Flowers, a North-South all-star, finished his senior season with 41 catches for 936 yards and six touchdowns. He told PalmettoSports.com that he's a solid commitment and doesn't plan to take more visits, and chose the Wolfpack over UCLA, Notre Dame, Michigan and Oregon. Those four teams, along with N.C. State, were represented by hats in front of Flowers when he made the decision.
South Carolina All-Region football teamsAccording to the Greenville News, Flowers was chosen to play for the U.S. Under-19 National Team to play against a team of all-stars from around the world on Feb. 2 at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.
Staying close to home became more important to Flowers as the recruiting process went on.
"I kept thinking about my family coming out to see me," he told the paper. "I kept thinking about going way out and way out, and finally when it came down to it, I really needed to stay close."
CLOWNEY TO DELAY ANNOUNCEMENT?According to a report on PalmettoSports.com, South Pointe defensive end
Jadeveon Clowney won't announce his college decision on Signing Day, but will wait until Feb. 14.
His coach, Bobby Carroll, told a blogger on ESPN.com that his standout player "mentioned to me that he may want to wait and make his decision and sign on his birthday. His birthday comes almost two full weeks after signing day, Feb. 14, Valentine's Day."
Clowney, who is considered the top defensive recruit in the nation by some, took an unofficial visit to South Carolina over the weekend and is expected to visit Clemson this weekend. He's made official visits to South Carolina and Alabama, which are the two schools many insiders think Clowney's decision will come down to.
TWO IN-STATE BACKS COMMITSummerville running back
De'Angelo Henderson and Darlington running back
Dominique Cooper have committed to play college ball inside South Carolina.
Henderson committed to Coastal Carolina over the weekend, according to the Charleston Post and Courier, while Cooper committed to S.C. State, according to Palmetto Sports.
Henderson, a Shrine Bowl player, rushed for 2,346 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior and was a finalist for the state's Mr. Football Award.
Cooper, a North-South all-star as a defensive back, ran for 915 yards and nine touchdowns in the fall.
CARROLL LEAVES SOUTH POINTEBobby Carroll turned the South Pointe football program into a South Carolina power, but now the coach is headed home.
Carroll accepted the head coaching position at
York last week. He takes over at the school where he was a Shrine Bowl offensive lineman in 1979 and where his son is the quarterback.
Carroll has been the only coach at South Pointe and during his five varsity seasons at the school he compiled a 50-18 record, including a state championship in 2008.
Carroll's son Spencer is a sophomore at York and was the Cougars' quarterback.
"We (South Pointe) beat York 56-7 in late October and one of the hardest things I've ever done in football was not going on the field and patting Spencer on the back after he threw that 80-yard touchdown pass," Carroll told the Rock Hill Herald. "Now I can be part of it, coach him and all his friends who grew up with him and hang out at our house."
DIXIE NAMES THREE FINALISTSDixie (Due West) will soon name an interim head football coach and the job will go to Belton-Honea Path assistant Robin Ashley or Dixie assistant coaches Gary Gillon or Travis Harris. The three coaches were named finalists for the position on Friday, according to the Greenwood Index Journal.
The paper states that school officials hope to have a recommendation for the school board this week. The job came open when Brian Gamble stepped down in November after four seasons. The Hornets were 8-33 during his tenure and won only one region game.
Jason Gilmer is an award-winning writer who has covered football in South Carolina for more than a decade. He does a statewide high school football blog on GoUpstate.com. You can reach him at palmettofootballtalkblog@gmail.com.
