ST. MATTHEWS -- The Calhoun County football team turned in the pads a month ago, but the Saints are still garnering plenty of attention.

Recently, Saints junior quarterback/defensive back David Sims picked up a scholarship offer from the University of South Carolina. He is the second Saints player -- standout receiver/defensive back Alshon Jeffrey being the other -- to receive an offer from the Gamecocks.

"David has basically come into his own," Calhoun County head coach Walter Wilson said. "He has matured a lot. You have to look at the kid. He is 6-foot, 208 pounds and if you see this kid run...I think he is running around a high 4.5 and that is not bad.

"The thing is, you look at the kid, and there is nothing but upside to him," he continued. "He had one hell of an offseason. He ran track and learned how to run."

Carolina may not be the final destination for the Saints' tandem. According to Wilson, Notre Dame and Kentucky are highly interested in Sims -- whose cousin is former Saint and current University of Tennessee defensive back DeAngelo Willingham -- and Kentucky has offered Jeffrey in football as well. Then, in the case of Jeffrey, there is basketball where he figures to get plenty of interest from big-time schools.

"What this is going to do is bring a lot of schools to our campus," Wilson said. "They are going to come around spring time and get a chance to see some more of my kids. I have some more kids that can go to school."

Another of the Saints' college prospects is sophomore tackle Eric Mack. At 6-4, 290 pounds, Wilson said his big man drew interest from ESPN this year.

"I think they are about to rank him as a top sophomore in the state," he said. "They are rating him on potential."

It all figures to make for an interesting year for the Saints football program.

"It's not who we play, but how we play," Wilson said. "But, we are going to get a good test in region. We are in the 1-A SEC this year. With the Bambergs and Allendales...the way I look at it is -- there won't be any what-ifs or can theys -- we will know."

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553. Check out his blog, Welcome to Linderland,at www.thetandd.com.

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