COLUMBIA – Saturday’s state championship games at Williams-Brice Stadium featured plenty of notable Clemson recruiting targets.
Clemson assistants Robbie Caldwell and Danny Pearman were spotted by TCI. So were South Carolina coaches Will Muschamp, Shawn Elliott and Bobby Bentley.
Led by senior left guard John Simpson and sophomore quarterback Dakereon Joyner, Fort Dorchester rolled past Dorman in the AAAA-1 game, 59-31.
Joyner completed 16 of 26 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the first game of the day. He also rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown. The four-star prospect told reporters that he’s open with his recruitment.
Simpson, who recently announced that he would no longer make his decision at the U.S. Army game, listed Clemson, Florida and LSU as his top three choices. There was no pecking order and others are still in the mix, including South Carolina. With Elliott’s return, the Gamecocks are still in the mix.
South Pointe won its second straight AAA title over Midland Valley, 35-0.
Defensive back/wide receiver/quarterback Derion Kendrick, who’s regarded by some as the top prospect in the state’s 2018 class, missed most of the playoffs because of a high-ankle sprain. In limited duty on Saturday, Kendrick had two tackles and one carry for three yards.
In the past, Kendrick has listed Clemson and Florida as his favorites, and Saturday was no different.
Sophomore teammate Eli Adams emerged this season as one of the state’s premier pass rushers. He had one sack for South Pointe, to finish with 18.
Adams’ recruiting profile is still growing, but he’s taken game day visits to Clemson (2014-Syarcuse) and South Carolina (2015-Clemson).
Northwestern, their neighbors in Rock Hill, cruised past Lexington in the nightcap, 63-13.
Junior defensive end Logan Rudolph had a tackle for loss. Freshman wide receiver Jamario Holley caught two passes for 32 yards, one of which was a 29-yard touchdown.
Clemson is still evaluating Rudolph, who already has several Power Five offers. Holley picked up his first offer last month from Kentucky.
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