One of nation's top RBs for 2010 has UGA among top three

Marcus Lattimore of Duncan, S.C., has 20 offers and is a candidate to be the nation's No. 1 tailback for 2010. At one time or another, Lattimore has said either Clemson, South Carolina or Georgia have been his leader. However, Lattimore told The State (S.C.) Newspaper that while he is still considering those three schools, he's going to consider all colleges. "I'm going to open all my options back up as I continue to get more offers," Lattimore told The State. "I just want everyone to know they have a fair shot at me. I just don't want to be one college. In the summer I'm probably going to have a top five and then make my decision at the Army All American Game."

Clemson-bound OL ends flirtation with UGA

Offensive lineman J.K. Jay of Greenville, S.C., has ended his flirtation with UGA, according to The State (S.C.) newspaper. "He took a couple of visits and researched some things," Jay's father told The State. "He grew up Orange. He sat down and did some soul searching and he came to that decision and stuck with everything he started with." The 6-foot-7, 280-pound Jay was a longtime commitment to Clemson, but began looking around after the departure of Tommy Bowden. UGA seized on the opportunity, convincing Jay to make an unofficial visit last week to meet with coach Mark Richt. Jay canceled official visits planned for UGA and Vanderbilt.

New Clemson coach secures Baldwin LB Corico Hawkins

New Clemson coach Dabo Swinney wants Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, so Hawkins is sticking with his commitment to the Tigers. "Corico wants to be there with the coaches who recruited him," Baldwin coach Jesse Hicks said. Hawkins, a member of the AJC's The Georgia 150, took his mother to the Clemson-South Carolina game Saturday. "That was the first time she went to a Clemson game, and I think that sealed the deal," Hicks said. Hawkins was an early commitment to Clemson, and was only looking at other schools in case the Tigers hired an outsider as coach. "If you bring in a new coach, they may start going through the recruiting process again," he said. "They may not run the same scheme and they may look for a different kind of player." The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hawkins finished the 2008 regular season with 102 tackles, 16 for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He was named the Region 3-AAA Player of the Year.

Clemson recruit Corico Hawkins considers N.C. State visit

Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, a Clemson commit, may consider an official visit to N.C. State. "N.C. State is recruiting him real hard," Baldwin coach Jesse Hicks said. "He is still committed to Clemson and I don't think he will visit N.C. State, but with the way this recruiting stuff works, you just never know." Hicks said Hawkins, a 6-foot, 220-pound member of the AJC's The Georgia 150, has developed a rapport with N.C. State assistant coach Andy McCollum. Although Hicks reiterated Hawkins' strong commitment to Clemson. "He knows the coaching situation is up in the air there, but he fell in love with the school," he said. "He is trying to graduate early and get up to the Clemson-South Carolina game." Hawkins finished the 2008 regular season with 102 tackles, 16 for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He was named the Region 3-AAA Player of the Year and now has his eyes on a state championship. "Being named player of the year for the region is quite an accomplishment for a defensive player," Hicks said. "They typically get overlooked."

Schools try to lure away Clemson recruit Corico Hawkins

South Carolina and North Carolina State are trying to lure Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, the state’s only player committed to Clemson. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hawkins said the two schools contacted him after Tommy Bowden stepped down as Clemson’s coach on Monday. While Hawkins said he appreciated the interest, he said he is sticking by his commitment to the Tigers. “I like Clemson and I want to be there for the next four years, [regardless of who is coach],” Hawkins said. Hawkins said he was also contacted by Clemson interim coach Dabo Swinney. “He told me to hang in there. He said they are turning things around and to just hold on.” Hawkins said he will know more about everything after he travels to Clemson for Saturday’s game with Georgia Tech. Since Clemson’s coaching change, the Tigers have lost three commitments