#STRecruiting: WR Jonathan Paylor names a top eight, and his top one remains the same

WR Jonathan Paylor (5-9 170) of Burlington, NC Wednesday named his top eight schools as USC, Clemson, NC State, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Colorado and Alabama. Cut from his previous to 10 list were Maryland, Tennessee, LSU and Ohio State. “They were constantly showing love and they have a good relationship with my parents,” Paylor said in explaining why those eight made his new short list.

Last month Paylor stated USC was his favorite, and a strong favorite at that. Wednesday, after dropping his new list of favorites, Paylor said nothing had changed with his number one.

“Right now, it’s still currently the same,” Paylor said.  “South Carolina has done a phenomenal job of recruiting me.  They have been great at communication and talking to my dad and everything like that.  They are still in front. I would say UNC, NC State and Clemson have started to really creep up towards them, but South Carolina is still kind of far out front.”

USC receivers coach Justin Stepp has gone hard after Paylor, and he’s by no means letting up while playing from ahead.

“Everything has been good,” Paylor said.  “I just recently talked to Coach Stepp.  He’s a very good guy.  We’ve been in contact for a long time.  We just touch base on how we’ve been, how my recruitment is going, how is school, how is track, how are things down there at South Carolina.”

If USC is leading, then Clemson has some catching up to do. Paylor said the Tigers are doing what they can, just like their rival.

“The same thing as South Carolina.  They are really showing great attention to me,” Paylor said.  “Their program is building back to where they were.  They’ve got fantastic recruits they have just signed that I’m kind of friends with and everything down there.  Great vibes and great communication.”

Paylor said he has just one spring visit set for now, and that’s to North Carolina this Saturday. He will set others around his track schedule. He also has set official visits to Clemson June 2nd and USC June 23rd.