USC and Clemson entertained recruits over the weekend squeezing in as many prospects as they felt necessary to see prior to the dead period kicking in on Monday. Both had prospects for the 2024 class in on official visits, and Clemson also had top targets for each of the next three classes in to watch practice Friday and Saturday.
Wrapping up an official visit with the Gamecocks Saturday was Texas Tech offensive tackle Monroe Mills. ”It was a good time, I enjoyed meeting the staff and thought the facilities were great. Coach (Lonnie) Teasley and Coach (Luke) Day made sure I saw everything the area had to offer,” Mills said Saturday night. Mills also made visits to TCU and Louisville after entering the Portal.
The Gamecocks also Saturday reportedly entertained Texas transfer quarterback Maalik Murphy. Pete Thamel of ESPN reported Murphy would visit Duke, USC and Oregon State. Hale McGranahan of TheBigSpur added that Murphy was expected at USC Saturday.
Clemson had two high school prospects in for official visits over the weekend and a transfer prospect in to watch practice on Friday. The official visitors were offensive tackle Mason Wade of Purcellville, VA who has been a Duke commitment since June, and linebacker CJ Kubah-Taylor of Olney, MD who was offered by the Tigers on Friday.
Also visiting Clemson Friday was Tennessee transfer center Addison Nichols. He had visited Georgia Tech before Clemson, and he left Clemson for a weekend official visit to Arkansas.
According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Ohio State commitment defensive tackle Eddrick Houston visited Clemson Friday. Houston is a native of Buford, GA and was heavily recruited by the Tigers coming out of high school before he committed to the Buckeyes in August. Wiltfong also reported Houston was to visit Alabama on Saturday.
2025 SAF Jontae Gilbert of Atlanta visited Clemson Saturday. He plans more visits in January. He will see USC January 13th and Tennessee the following Saturday.
2026 RB Jaylen McGill of Broome also made a visit to Clemson Saturday.
Other weekend notes:
USC CB commitment Braydon Lee, who has been getting a late push from nearby Maryland, posted this on his X account Sunday: “I will be signing my National Letter of Intent on December 20th. Also, will be graduating high school next week and will early enroll in January. Would like to thank all the fans, media, and coaches that have stuck with me through this process. Time to make it official!”
Chad Simmons of On3 put in a prediction for USC to land WR Debron Gatling of Alpharetta, GA. Gatling recently decommitted from Texas A&M. He made an official visit to USC for the Kentucky game. Georgia Tech and Louisville have also been involved with him.
USC is on the contact list with Tulane transfer WR Chris Brazzell (6-5 195). This season he had 44 catches for 711 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Former USC receiver Juice Wells Sunday committed to Ole Miss.
Former USC running back Mario Anderson committed to Memphis.
Former USC offensive lineman JonDarius Morgan committed to UAB.
Former Miami RB Don Chaney Jr. committed to Louisville. He’s the son of a former USC standout, was recruited by Gamecocks out of high school, and drew interest from them this time around as well.
Louisiana Tech transfer WR Cyrus Allen, who had an offer from USC, committed to Texas A&M.
Purdue transfer DE Khordae Sydnor, who had an offer from USC, committed to Vanderbilt.
Alabama transfer DT Anquin Barnes, who was offered by USC, committed to Colorado.
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson entered the Portal Saturday. This may or may not mean anything to USC. Gamecock assistant coaches Dowell Loggains and Justin Stepp were at Arkansas with Jefferson before moving to Columbia. Jefferson spent five seasons with the Razorbacks. During his time there he passed for 7923 yards, 67 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He also rushed for 1876 yards and 21 touchdowns. There is another visitation window for transfers from January 3-7.
Former Clemson TE Sage Ennis is transferring to Florida A&M.
Eastern New Mexico transfer WR Andre Jones committed to Coastal Carolina. He was 1st team All-Conference last season with 32 catches for 737 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Broome DE DT Thompson committed to Anderson.
Dutch Fork QB Jonathan Hunt committed to East Tennessee State.
Gilbert native Norfolk State transfer QB committed to Newberry.