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Feb. 7, 2007

Spurrier Press Conference Quotes

Olufemi “Ladi” Ajiboye
Defensive Tackle
6-2 300
Riverdale, Ga./Banneker/Hargrave Military

Prep School: Enrolled at Carolina in January… spent the 2006 season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. where he was coached by Robert Prunty… played at Hargrave with fellow Gamecock signee Clifton Geathers… is ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 21 overall prep school prospect and was given a four-star rating… is a three-star prospect by Scout.com and considered the nation’s 61st-best defensive tackle… selected South Carolina over Virginia Tech.

High School: A former teammate of current Gamecock cornerback Carlos Thomas at Banneker High School in College Park, Ga… graduated in 2006… coached by Benny Crane… was credited with 74 tackles including five sacks as a senior after logging 80 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior… named his team’s Best Defensive Player… invited to play in the North-South All-Star Game… also competed in the shot put for the track & field team.

Personal: Olufemi Oladipupa Ajiboye was born Sept. 15, 1987… enjoys playing video games… was also offered by Illinois, Louisville, Michigan State and Minnesota out of high school.

Antonio Allen
Defensive Back
6-1 191
Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic

High School: Safety who earned first-team all-state honors at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla… had 114 tackles and two interceptions as a junior… high school teammate of Gamecock signee Dion Lecorn… coached by former Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell… team went 13-1 in 2006… given a three-star rating, considered the nation’s 42nd-best safety prospect and the 80th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… given three stars and is the 75th-best safety in the nation according to Scout.com… rated as the 91st best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep… boasts 4.5 speed in the 40… also had offers from Louisville, Ole Miss, Nebraska, North Carolina and N.C. State.

Akeem Auguste
Defensive Back
5-10 181
Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna

High School: Credited with 114 tackles and 10 interceptions in his final two seasons at Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Fla… had 54 tackles and three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns as a senior defensive back… also was a big factor on special teams… had 60 tackles and seven interceptions as a junior, along with four touchdowns in the return game… coached by Mark Guandolo… ranked as the 28th-best player in the state of Florida and the 14th-best cornerback in the country by Rivals.com while earning a four-star rating… considered a four-star recruit and the 31st-best cornerback in the nation by Scout.com… rated the 41st-best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep… runs a reported 4.4 40-yard dash… also had offers from Wake Forest, Florida, Auburn, Virginia and Pittsburgh.

Eric Baker
Running Back
5-11 184
Jacksonville, Fla./Ed White

High School: Led the state of Florida in rushing during his senior campaign… ran for over 1,500 yards in each of his final two seasons at Ed White High School in Jacksonville… rushed for 1,703 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior… received a three-star rating, considered the 41st-best running back in the nation and listed as the No. 70 player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… ranked as the 67th best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep… was a three-star prospect and the nation’s 49th-best running back by Scout.com… runs a 4.5 40 and can bench 385… also offered by Clemson, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska and West Virginia.

Jason Barnes
Wide Receiver
6-3 203
Charlotte, N.C./Independence

High School: Caught 84 passes for 1,413 yards and 14 touchdowns in helping Charlotte’s Independence High School to a seventh straight North Carolina state title in 2006… hauled in six passes for 67 yards in the Shrine Bowl… caught 30 passes for 300 yards as a junior… ranked as the 18th-best prospect in the state of North Carolina by SuperPrep… rated a four-star prospect, the 32nd-best wide receiver in the nation and the 11th-best player in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com… rated a three-star prospect and the nation’s 66th-best wide receiver by Scout.com… has a 30-inch vertical leap…runs a 4.5 40-yard dash… turned down an offer from North Carolina to sign with the Gamecocks.

Mark Barnes
Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
6-2 189
Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast

High School: Local product who played both wide receiver and safety for Richland Northeast High School… caught just eight passes, three for touchdowns, and had 86 tackles and four interceptions as a senior… played in the Shrine Bowl… earned second team all-state honors by The State… as a junior, caught 25 passes for 545 yards and five TDs, had over 80 tackles and five interceptions… regarded as one of the top athletes in the nation who could play either wide receiver or safety at the college level… a four-star prospect by Rivals.com who was considered the ninth-best “athlete” in the nation and the sixth-best player in the state of South Carolina… rated the seventh-best “athlete” in the nation and the third-best player in the state of South Carolina by SuperPrep… ranked as the seventh best “athlete” in the country by PrepStar… is a four-star prospect and the nation’s sixth-best safety according to Scout.com… runs a 4.45 40… turned down Louisville to sign with South Carolina.

Michael Bowman
Wide Receiver
5-10 170
Wadesboro, N.C./Anson

High School: Versatile performer who lined up at tailback, wide receiver and wingback at Anson High School in North Carolina… coached by Jody Grooms… gained 1,204 yards rushing and eight touchdowns as a junior… three-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com… runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and has a 31-inch vertical leap… also offered by Colorado, Tennessee and East Carolina.

Matt Clements
Wide Receiver
6-0 173
Naples, Fla./Barron Collier

High School: Played quarterback for the first part of his senior season at Barron Collier High in Naples, Fla… coached by Bill Sparacio… caught 50 passes for 726 yards and six touchdowns as a junior… a four-star prospect and the nation’s 43rd-best wide receiver by Scout.com… three-star prospect who is ranked as the 45th-best wide receiver in the country and the 55th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… rated as the 39th-best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep… runs a 4.4 40 and has a 33-inch vertical leap… holds the school record in the 400 meters (48.3 seconds) and was the track team’s MVP as a junior… also played basketball and baseball… his baseball squad was the 2005 5A-13 champs and was ranked nationally.

Personal:Matthew Jacob Clements was born July 4, 1988… interested in a degree in communications… father, Steven Rogers, played baseball at Massasoit CC… turned down offers from Auburn Clemson, Iowa State, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Virginia and West Virginia to sign with USC.

Chris Culliver
Wide Receiver
6-1 194
Garner, N.C./Garner

High School: Highly sought after athlete who is expected to play wide receiver for the Gamecocks… although he started only a handful of games on offense, Culliver had 1,500 all-purpose yards and returned four kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns… accounted for over 270 tackles in his final two seasons at Garner (N.C.) High School… credited with 147 tackles and four interceptions as a senior… was the MVP for the East squad in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game after catching three passes for 97 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown reception… also played in the Shrine Bow… produced 127 tackles, seven sacks and two picks as a junior… was a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, the Gamecocks’ first five-star signee since Demetris Summers in 2003… considered by Rivals as the top player in the state of North Carolina and the third-best wide receiver in the country… Rivals.com ranks him as the 19th-best prospect in the country regardless of position, making him USC’s highest-rated recruit since Greenwood linebacker Ricardo Hurley was ranked No. 17 among the class of ’02… a four-star prospect and rated as the No. 13 safety in the country by Scout.com… rated the 37th-best defensive back in the nation and the seventh-best player in the state of North Carolina by SuperPrep… did not play football until his sophomore year… timed in the 40 in 4.28 seconds… has a 34-inch vertical leap… selected USC over Florida and NC State.

Patrick DiMarco
Fullback
6-1 224
Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lake Brantley

High School: Played on both sides of the ball for Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla… primarily used as a blocker on offense and as an end on defense… coached by George Clayton… racked up 125 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 17 sacks as a senior for the 6-A squad… scored eight touchdowns on offense… was the Orlando Sentinel’s Player of the Year in Central Florida… helped Lake Brantley to a 14-2 record and a state runner-up finish… was named first team all-state, conference Player of the Year, the Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Year, team captain and team MVP… played in the North-South Florida All-Star Game… considered a two-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com… runs a 4.79 40-yard dash… also participated in baseball, basketball and weightlifting.

Personal:Patrick Scott DiMarco was born April 30, 1989… interested in a degree in business administration… enjoys playing golf and weightlifting… grandfather, Richard DiMarco, played basketball at St. John’s, uncle, Chris DiMarco, is on the PGA Tour and cousin, Steve DiMarco, plays in the Baltimore Orioles system… recruited by UCF, USF, Northwestern and Florida Atlantic among others.

Larry Freeman
Wide Receiver
6-2 212
Fort Meade, Fla./Fort Meade/Pearl River (Miss.) CC

Junior College: Played at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss. for coach Tim Hatten… in addition to playing wide receiver, he handled the quarterback duties for four games during his sophomore season… helped his 2006 squad to the MACJC state championship and a spot in the NJCAA national championship game, where the second-ranked Wildcats fell to No. 1 Blinn (Tex.) by a 19-6 score to finish the season with a 10-2 mark… caught over 50 passes for 800 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman in 2005… listed as the 42nd-best player on Rivals.com Junior College top 100 and was given a three-star rating… was a four-star prospect by Scout.com… had offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss and Tennessee among others… enrolled at South Carolina in January.

High School: Prepped at Fort Meade (Fla.) High School where he played baseball and basketball in addition to football… helped his football squad to the state playoffs each year, including a pair of runner-up finishes… earned all-state and all-county honors.

Personal: Larry Donnell Freeman was born Jan. 2, 1986… interested in a degree in African studies.

Stephen Garcia
Quarterback
6-2 212
Tampa, Fla./Jefferson

High School: Highly touted quarterback from Jefferson High School in Tampa, Fla… completed 506 of 821 passes for 8,081 yards and 84 touchdowns as a prep signal-caller while leading his team to the playoffs each season, including a spot in the championship game as a sophomore… also rushed 263 times for 1,345 yards and 17 scores… graduated as the all-time county leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns… earned all-state honors as a senior after passing for over 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns and leading his team to a 9-3 record… played in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. following his senior season… as a junior, he passed for 2,800 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 700 yards and eight touchdowns… as a sophomore, he threw for just under 2,800 yards with 27 scores… coached by Mike Simmons and Mike Fenton… ranked by Rivals.com as the nation’s fourth-best dual-threat quarterback, the 12th-best player in the state of Florida and is a member of the Rivals100… is a four-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com… was the 18th-best quarterback prospect in the nation by Scout.com… ranked as the eighth-best quarterback in the nation by PrepStar… was regarded as the third-best quarterback at the Elite 11 camp in the summer prior to his senior season… also lettered in basketball where he was a two-year starter… was also an honor roll student… enrolled at South Carolina in January.

Personal: Stephen Glenn Garcia was born Feb. 15, 1988… parents are Gary and Debbie Garcia… brothers, Brian and Gary, both played football at Harvard… uncle, Ernie Garcia, played football at Florida State… undecided on his major… hobbies are watching ancient war movies and collecting swords… considered Oklahoma, Auburn, Florida and Ole Miss among others before committing to the Gamecocks.

Clifton Geathers
Defensive Line/Offensive Line
6-7 280
Georgetown, S.C./Carvers Bay/Hargrave Military

Prep School: Big lineman who enrolled at South Carolina in January… attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham (Va.) in the fall of 2006 where he was coached by Robert Prunty and was a teammate of fellow Gamecock signee Ladi Ajiboye… a four-star prospect who originally committed to Georgia before casting his lot with the Gamecocks… regarded as the No. 14 prep school prospect in the country by Rivals.com… also received offers from Clemson, Florida and Florida State.

High School: Prepped at Carvers Bay High School where he was one of the nation’s top prospects… participated in the Army All-American game in January of 2006.

Personal: Clifton Geathers is the younger brother of former University of Georgia and current Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive end Robert Geathers, Jr. and is the nephew of former All-Pro defensive lineman Jumpy Geathers.

Joseph Hills
Wide Receiver
6-4 194
Palmetto, Fla./Palmetto

High School: Logged over 500 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns and added four interceptions playingwide receiver, tight end and safety as a senior at Palmetto (Fla.) High School… participated in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. following the season… considered a four-star prospect by Rivals.com… ranked by Rivals as the 27-best “athlete” in the nation and the 37th-best player in the state of Florida… rated a three-star prospect and the nation’s 89th-best wide receiver by Scout.com… ranked as the 84th-best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep… runs a reported 4.4 40-yard dash… also offered by Georgia, LSU, Louisville, Ole Miss and Nebraska.

Melvin Ingram
Linebacker
6-2 250
Hamlet, N.C./Richmond County

High School: Hard-hitting linebacker who completed his senior year with 87 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Richmond County High School in one of the top 4-A leagues in the state of North Carolina… returned a Willy Korn fumble for a touchdown in the Shrine Bowl game… regarded as the 17th-best player in the state of North Carolina by SuperPrep… rated a four-star linebacker by Rivals.com… Rivals tabbed him as the 21st-best outside linebacker in the country and the 10th-best player in the state of North Carolina… Scout.com ranked him as a three-star prospect and the 20th-best middle linebacker prospect in the nation… also considered North Carolina and North Carolina State before settling on the Gamecocks.

Dion LeCorn
Wide Receiver
5-11 208
Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic

High School: Caught 57 passes for 1,108 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla… finished his junior season with 59 receptions for 1,151 yards and 11 TDs… had 40 catches for 852 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore… was the top receiver for Florida signee John Brantley… also was a teammate of Gamecock signee Antonio Allen… coached by former Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell… team went 13-1 in 2006… rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com… considered the 19th-best prospect in the state of Florida and the 17th-best wide receiver in the country by Rivals.com… was a three-star prospect by Scout.com and considered the 68th-best wide receiver in the country… runs the 40 in 4.48 seconds… selected South Carolina over LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, USF and UCF.

Brian Maddox
Running Back
5-11 225
Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna

High School: Rushed for 1,750 yards on 235 carriers with 18 touchdowns as a senior at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C., helping his team to a region title and third playoff appearance in four years… a first-team all-state selection by the Associated Press and by The State… played in the Shrine Bowl… participated in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game… finished his three-year prep career with 500 carries for 4,200 yards and 50 scores… rushed for 1,340 yards and 21 TDs as a junior… coached by Scott Parker… ranked as a four-star prospect and the 31st-best running back in the nation by Scout.com… considered a four-star prospect, the 13th-best running back in the country and the ninth-best player in the state of South Carolina by Rivals.com… rated the 19th-best running back in the nation and the eighth-best player in the state of South Carolina by SuperPrep… also participated in track.

Cliff Matthews
Defensive End
6-4 234
Cheraw, S.C./Cheraw

High School: A two-way starter (tight end and defensive end) for Cheraw (S.C.) High School… led his team to the state championship… earned first team all-state honors by The State… also was an all-region selection… was the Shrine Bowl Defensive MVP after finishing with four tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery… had three tackles and a pair of sacks in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game… recorded 75 tackles and 120 sacks as a junior… coached by Johnny White… ranked as a five-star prospect and the sixth-best defensive end in the country by Scout.com… considered a four-star prospect, the 32nd-best player in the nation, the second-best player in the state of South Carolina and the No. 3 weak side defensive end in the country by Rivals.com… rated the No. 1 player in the state of South Carolina, the 10th-best defensive lineman in the country and the 47th-best player overall in the nation by SuperPrep… ranked as the 10th best defensive lineman in the country by PrepStar… also played basketball in high school… runs a 4.7 40-yard dash… spurned offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and others to sign with the Gamecocks.

Byron McKnight
Defensive End
6-5 220
Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County

High School: Defensive end who was a high school teammate of Gamecock signee Travian Robertson at Scotland County in Laurinburg, N.C… team reached the playoffs for three straight seasons… regarded as a two-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com… runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds… has a 31-inch vertical leap… also plays basketball and competes in track & field.

Donte’e Nicholls
Defensive Tackle
6-1 307
Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely

High School: Big defensive tackle from Pompano Beach, Fla. who was a three-star prospect by Rivals.com… considered the 49th-best defensive tackle prospect in the nation and the 93rd-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… considered a three-star prospect and the 49th-best defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com… also offered by Arizona State, Louisville, Rutgers and West Virginia.

Kyle Nunn
Offensive Line
6-6 269
Sumter, S.C./Sumter

High School: Offensive lineman from Sumter, S.C. who earned a spot on the Shrine Bowl team… nominated for state lineman of the year honors… coached by Paul Sorrells… graded out at 85 percent and had 2 knockdown blocks as a junior… is a three-star prospect and ranked as the 62nd-best offensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com… regarded as the 18th-best player in the state of South Carolina by both Rivals.com and SuperPrep…a three-star prospect and the nation’s 62nd-best offensive tackle according to Scout.com… committed to South Carolina in October after decommitting from the Virginia Tech pledge he made in the summer… also had offers from North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Sam Pope
Defensive Back
6-0 186
Beaufort, S.C./Beaufort/Southwest Mississippi CC

Junior College:
Junior college transfer who played at Southwest Mississippi CC in Summit, Miss. for coach Charles Anthony… collected three interceptions for the Bears during the 2006 campaign, returning two for scores… a three-star prospect who was regarded as the No. 54 JUCO player by Rivals.com… a two-star prospect by Scout.com.

High School: Is a 2004 graduate of Beaufort (S.C.) High School where he was an all-area, all-region and all-state performer after intercepting 10 passes… named the Lowcountry Defensive Player of the Year as a senior… played for coach Mark Clifford… team went 13-1, losing in the Lower State title game as a senior… also earned all-region honors in basketball.

Personal:Samuel Pope, Jr. was born October 21, 1987… interested in a degree in retail… enjoys playing basketball in his spare time… turned down offers from Tulsa and Southern Miss to sign with the Gamecocks… will have three years to play two at South Carolina.

Quintin Richardson
Offensive Line
6-4 276
Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley

High School: Local product from Spring Valley High School in Columbia… a knee injury cost him much of his senior season… was injured in a pre-season scrimmage but did not need surgery… managed 37 knockdown blocks in his limited action… still garnered third team all-state honors by The State… was a standout at the Offense-Defense All-Star Game… graded out at 86 percent with 78 knockdown blocks as a junior… regarded as a four-star prospect, the fifth-best player in the state of South Carolina, the eight-best offensive tackle in the nation and the 99th best-player in the country overall by Rivals.com… ranked as a four-star prospect and the 20th-best offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com… rated the nation’s 19th best offensive lineman in the nation and the sixth best player in the state of South Carolina by SuperPrep.

Travian Robertson
Defensive End
6-4 240
Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County

High School: Defensive end from Scotland High School in Laurinburg, N.C. who enrolled at South Carolina in January… coached by Mark Barnes… named his squad’s defensive end of the year after recording 74 tackles with 7.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles… played for the North Carolina squad in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, where he had four tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery… logged three tackles and a pair of sacks in the Offense-Defense All-Star Game in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. following his senior season… named all-conference, all-region and team Defensive MVP… team reached the playoffs for three straight seasons… missed much of his junior season after tearing an ACL… considered a four-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, is regarded as the No. 18 defensive end prospect in the country by Scout.com… was the No. 8 strong side defense end and the fourth best player in the state of North Carolina according to Rivals.com… is on the Rivals100 list… also played basketball and competed in track.

Personal: Travian Jamal Robertson was born Dec. 9, 1988… brother, Tony Robertson, plays football at Appalachian State… interested in the criminal justice program at USC… enjoys fishing… selected South Carolina over Clemson and had offers from North Carolina, NC State and Virginia Tech.

Weslye Saunders
Tight End
6-5 283
Durham, N.C./Riverside

High School: Played tight end and defensive end for Riverside High School in Durham, N.C… coached by Tommy Blalock… helped the Pirates reach the 4-AA state championship game… team finished the season 11-5 after starting the year 3-4… caught 58 passes for 718 yards with seven touchdowns… also had 242 yards rushing with 10 scores on just 32 carries… also logged 86 tackles and eight sacks as a defensive end… was a Shrine Bowl participant… was all-region and all-conference as a junior after recording 20 catches for 308 yards and six touchdowns at tight end, and 52 tackles, four sacks, 14 TFLs and two forced fumbles at defensive end… given a four-star ranking by both Scout.com and Rivals.com… Scout considers him the 18th-best tight end prospect in the nation… is the eighth-best player in the state of North Carolina according to Rivals… selected USC over North Carolina… also had offers from Louisville, Clemson, Florida State and several others… is the son of The News & Observer columnist Barry Saunders… plans to study journalism and English.

Arkee Smith
Defensive Back
6-3 182
Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast

High School: High school teammate of Carolina signee Jamire Williams at Jacksonville’s First Coast High School… Given a two-star rating by both Rivals.com and Scout.com… runs a 4.5 40-yard dash… also had offers from Cincinnati, South Florida and Wake Forest.

Addison Williams
Defensive Back
5-9 170
Atlanta, Ga./Westlake

High School: Cornerback prospect from Atlanta’s Westlake High School… logged six interceptions and five touchdowns (three on kickoffs and two on punts) in the return game as a junior… earned a three-star rating by Rivals.com… considered the 28th-best player in the state of Georgia and the 29th-best cornerback in the country by Rivals.com… ranked as the 58th-best cornerback in the nation and a three-star prospect by Scout.com… rated as the 20th-best player in the state of Georgia by SuperPrep… also a state champion in track & field… also had offers from Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Mississippi State and Tulane.

Jamire Williams
Defensive Back
5-10 179
Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast

High School: Standout prep defensive back who has also been a top sprinter on the track team at Jacksonville’s First Coast High School… high school teammate of Carolina signee Arkee Smith… three-star prospect by Rivals.com… considered the 21st-best cornerback in the country and the 45th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… was a four-star prospect by Scout.com and regarded as the nation’s 22nd-best cornerback… boasts 4.4 speed in the 40… turned down offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, LSU, Tennessee and Ohio State among others.

Jonathan Williams
Defensive Tackle
6-3 272
Augusta, Ga./Glenn Hills/Mississippi Delta CC

Junior College: Played at Mississippi Delta CC in Moorhead, Miss. for coach Jay Miller… was a two-year starter for the Trojans after initially enrolling at Butler (Kan.) J.C… was a first team all-state selection in the Mississippi junior college ranks in 2006… received a four-star ranking from Scout.com and a three-star ranking from Rivals.com… Rivals.com considered him the 44th-best JUCO prospect… originally committed to Mississippi State before enrolling at South Carolina in January… a redshirt junior, will have two years to play two.

High School: Prepped at Glenn Hills High School in Augusta, Ga. where he earned all-state honors as a senior in 2004 and all-area honors during both his junior and senior seasons… played for coach Felix Curry… named his school’s Best Defensive Lineman for three straight years… also played high school basketball… As a high school senior he received offers from Alabama and Auburn among others.

Personal: Jonathan Lamont Williams was born Nov. 22, 1985… interested in a degree in African American studies.

Mat Williams
Tight End
6-5 226
Fort Myers, Fla./Riverdale

High School: Tight end prospect from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Fla… three-year starter for coach Scott Jones… led team in receiving each season… caught 52 passes for 802 yards and nine touchdowns in three seasons… team captain as a senior… played in the John Carrigan All-Star Classic… three-time News Press all-star selection… caught 22 passes for 450 yards and 2 touchdowns as a junior… helped his team to the playoffs all three years, the first time in school history that has been accomplished… won school’s first district and regional titles during his junior season… three-star prospect who was regarded as the 49th-best tight end in the country and the 90th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… also a three-star prospect by Scout.com and considered the nation’s 49th-best tight end prospect… runs the 40 in 4.8 seconds… bench presses 300 pounds… a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal:Mathew Cody Williams was born Dec. 13, 1988… interested in a degree in business… enjoys hunting and fishing… chose the Gamecocks over Louisville, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, and several others.

Alonzo Winfield
Linebacker
6-0 200
Winston-Salem, N.C./Carver

High School: Made 80 tackles and had two interceptions during his senior season at Carver High School in Winston-Salem… received a three-star rating by Rivals.com… considered the 44th-best outside linebacker in the country and the 27th-best player in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com… regarded as the 26th-best player in the state of North Carolina by SuperPrep… is a three-star prospect and the nation’s 70th-best safety according to Scout.com… runs a reported 4.5 40-yard dash with a 30-inch vertical leap… runs track in the spring and focuses on the 100 and 200 meter dashes… originally committed to Tennessee and considered North Carolina and NC State before casting his lot with the Gamecocks.