WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | National signing day - see who's playing where

National signing day - see who's playing where

(Union) Feb. 5, 2003 -- The scene at Union High's gym Wednesday morning showed what kind of a signing day it was for South Carolina and Clemson.
     
Wide receiver David Smith and linebacker Curtis Rice both wore Gamecock ballcaps as they waited to sign scholarship papers to play for South Carolina coach Lou Holtz. Then prized offensive lineman Eric Young rushed out with an orange hat on. But it held a Vols' T instead of Clemson's tiger paw.
     
Even with Young headed to South Carolina's Southeastern Conference rival, Holtz could hardly be much happier with his 27-member recruiting class.

The state's top running back, Demetris Summers, waited until Wednesday night to reveal his decision. Summers announced he will be a Gamecock for the upcoming season. The Lexington High School star is ranked the number one tailback in the country by ESPN.

USC Head Coach Lou Holtz was pleased with the signing, "Demetris Summers could have gone anywhere in the country and there's a reason for that - he's a real talent. He can run, he can catch, he can field punts, he can break tackles, he can run over you. His accomplishment's in high school are unbelievable. I think he has a tremendous future, and I'm glad that he chose the University of South Carolina. Our obligation now is to help him become the very best student, the very best person, and the very best player he can be. Our mandate is to help him better his talents and abilities."

Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden remarked on his recruiting class, "I thought it was a very solid class. We got a quarterback out of North Carolina (C.J. Gaddis) who committed to us early. At running back, we got Tramaine Billie and Branden Nolen. We wanted five offensive linemen and got four. It was really solid from top to bottom. We could've used one more defensive lineman. "

Bowden says he is pleased with the 17 recruits he signed Wednesday but says he was disappointed not to get any high-profile players.

updated 8:35am by  Chris Rees with AP