USC defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Clayton White is looking for physical linebackers who can run, and one he’s identified is Javae Gilmore (6-4 200) of Amite, LA. White offered Gilmore in early February and the two are keeping in touch primarily thru FaceTime.
“He just called me and were talking and got along well,” Gilmore said of his first contact with White. “It’s just gone on from there. We’ve been contacting each other weekly. We stay in contact with each other and we have a good bond. He said my physicality and the way I’m around the ball (stood out). I think coach and I have a good connection.”
Gilmore is also sitting on offers from LSU, SMU, North Texas, South Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana and Louisiana-Monroe. He’s not at the point where he’s ready to narrow the list.
“I don’t really know yet. The door is still open,” Gilmore said. “LSU, Mississippi State, North Texas, Ole Miss, SMU and Kentucky (also contact him regularly). Kentucky has been talking to me a lot. “LSU is still there. I like them. Me and Coach O (Ed Orgeron), we’re real connected. He calls me daily. It’s a connection there, but I really don’t know yet what I want to do.”
Gilmore is not rushing the process and said he won’t make a final commitment until the February signing day.
“I’m looking first at academics,” Gilmore said. “I want to major in business. And I want to be part of a good built program that’s going to play as a team, a unit, not so much individual. Together and do something, and make things happen.”
Gilmore is rated a three-star in the 247Sports Composite and ranked the #30 outside linebacker nationally in the class. Last season in 8 games, he had 58 tackles with 5 sacks, 4 tackles 4 loss and 3 interceptions, two he returned for touchdowns.
Other news from Wednesday:
- SAF Jaron Willis of Leesburg, GA, who had USC in his top 10, named a top 6 of Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Florida State, Florida and Kentucky.
- DT Nick James of IMG Academy set an official visit with USC for June 25th.
- One-time USC target RB Nicholas Singleton of Reading, PA has set June official visits with Wisconsin, Penn State, Northwestern, Notre Dame and Ohio State. He will take an unofficial visit to Michigan.
- Clemson freshman forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper has entered the transfer portal, the second Clemson player to do so since the end of the season.
