DT Shaun Ayers (6-4 270), a native of Long Island who attends St. Thomas Moore Prep in Oakdale, CT has taken multiple visits to USC and Clemson. He was in Columbia last May and again earlier this month. He’s been to Clemson three times, for a camp, a practice and last year’s game with the Gamecocks.
Ayers said he’s getting more attention from the Gamecocks than the Tigers at this point. He’s been talking with offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley and defensive tackles coach Jimmy Lindsey.
“Coach Teasley, Coach Lindsey, they are all good coaches. The coaching staff is great,” Ayers said. “We watched practice and once practice ended, they showed us around the school, and then went out to eat. Since that was my second time back on campus, and after I got my first offer from UCF, everything is starting to pick up now, Coach Teasley said he’s going to send one of is people down to our showcase that my school hosts and see how I move, and we’ll go from there.”
Ayers feels like the Gamecock coaches have serious interest in him, but they want to see more before handing out an offer. They’ll get another look at him in May when they go up to watch him perform in a camp at his school.
“I feel like if I show out like I have to at the showcase, then it’s definitely possible,” Ayers said. “I just love how it’s a family atmosphere. Family is like a big thing for me. Knowing that they are strong on family, they are up there, for sure.”
Ayers said he’s also had some contact from Clemson coaches Nick Eason and Mike Reed, but not much is going for him right now with the Tigers.
Ayers has an offer from UCF and visited there earlier this month, and he will visit Rutgers Friday. He has also visited Florida State, Penn State, Temple and Tennessee, and he plans to visit Virginia and Syracuse. Return trips to USC and Clemson are also possible.
Ayers, who had seven sacks last season, said he can play anywhere on the line from a three to a five technique.
