USC target DE Desmond Umeozulu (6-5 220) of Upper Marlboro, MD has set August 29th for his commitment announcement. USC, Ohio State, North Carolina and Pitt are the final four schools. He also had on his previous short list Clemson, Maryland, Penn State, Texas and Georgia. Umeozulu took official visits to each in June. He also made unofficial visits to each school in the spring.
RB Christopher Johnson of Fort Lauderdale tells 247Sports he is looking at December 21st for his commitment announcement and he plans to take officials to Clemson, Miami, Ole Miss and Alabama.
One-time Clemson target DT Jamaal Jarrett of Greensboro, NC committed to Georgia.
DE Zavion Hardy of Macon, GA is focused on USC, Florida and Liberty with officials during the season he said with a story with Rivals.
2024 TE Martavious Collins (6-4 240) of Rome, GA, who had USC on his short list, committed to Alabama.
Clemson is in the final nine with 6-6 Devin Royal of Pickerington, OH. The others on his short list are Alabama, Marquette, Michigan, Miami, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Ohio State and Penn State.
The USC staff were among the coaches on hand Wednesday night to watch 6-10 GG Williams perform at Peach Jam in North Augusta. Williams, who decommitted from North Carolina earlier in the month, has been expected to flip to the Gamecocks or go straight to one of the pro development leagues. Lou Bezjak of The State, who is in North Augusta, reported other schools like Kentucky, Auburn and Massachusetts have reached out to Jackson since his decommitment. Bezjak reported an announcement from Jackson is expected within the next two weeks.
2024 6-4 Cam Scott of Lexington tells Jamie Shaw of On3 he has set an official visit to Oregon for October 1st and also plans to set visits with USC, Florida State and North Carolina.
USC women offered 2024 6-2 guard Morgan Cheli of San Jose, CA.
Clemson added baseball commitments from middle INF Darren Purify of Detroit and 2024 RHP Chayce Kieck of Jacksonville. Purify is a former Michigan commitment.
Perfect Game has this scouting report on Purify: Recorded a 6.75 second 60-yard dash time. Lean and athletic frame with plenty of quick twitch athleticism and room to add strength. Primary shortstop who moves very well and has very smooth actions. Excellent lateral agility with very good balance and body control. Advanced defender at shortstop with a very good arm recorded up to 89 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter with an even and slightly open stance. Smooth, on plane swing with lots of line drive contact. Good carry and backspin with a very fluid swing. Hard contact to the middle of the field with very good hand-eye coordination.
Here’s the Perfect Game scouting report on Kieck: Strong athletic build with room to get stronger, long arms and legs for his height. High leg raise delivery, stays tall over the rubber, 3/4’s arm slot with an online stride down the mound, can extend better out front especially on his off speed pitches. Fastball worked up to 87 mph, throws his fastball for strikes consistently and challenges hitters, gets some ride up in the zone and consistently got his fastball off barrels for weak contact. Short breaking slider with some tightness when he gets out front with it, also flashed a firm change up. 7.18 runner in the sixty. Plays third base when not on the mound, has good carry on his throws and is athletic on the move. Right handed hitter, hits from a spread stance with limited lower half shift, upper body swing with middle of the field line drive contact.
