A larger, more heralded group of high school seniors are making a football recruiting trip to South Carolina State University this weekend.

A total of 15 prospective recruits will tour the campus and meet with the Bulldog coaching staff who find themselves -- in a couple of cases -- competing against Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the Carolinas. One of those recruits, running back Martin Ward (5-10, 190 lbs.) out of Mount Zion High School, had the University of South Carolina atop his list of college choices after decommitting from the University of Georgia.

Ward rushed for 1,379 yards and 15 touchdowns during his junior season at Mount Zion.

The other is A.J. Blue, a 6-2, 205-pound quarterback out of North Gaston High School in Dallas, N.C. Earlier this week, Blue was offered a scholarship from the University of North Carolina and also received heavy interest from Duke and Illinois.

He has thrown for 5,200 passing yards and rushed for 4,600 yards during his prep career.

The visiting group also includes a South Carolina High School League and a SCISAA Shrine Bowl linemen. Sam Hammond (6-3, 300) of Union County High School excelled on both sides of the football, with 22 pancake blocks and an 86 percent grade in six games on the offensive line and 46 tackles and seven quarterback hurries on defense.

Defensive end Arnett James (6-3, 240) of Pee Dee Academy was selected to the Oasis Shrine Classic (SCISAA's version of the Shrine Bowl).

Another All-Star expected in attendance is Silver Bluff defensive end/tight end Joe Carter. The 6-3, 245-pound senior had 80 tackles for the Bulldogs and won the Doug Shaw Memorial Scholarship after participating in the North-South All-Star Classic in Conway.

The lone T&D Region high school senior prospect visiting this weekend is "Elite 11" wide receiver/defensive back Willie Carter of Denmark-Olar. The 6-1, 180-pound two-sport athlete had 68 catches for 870 yards and eight touchdowns on offense and five interceptions on defense, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Rounding out the list of prospective recruits in Orangeburg include:

* ATHLETE Leander Barney (5-8, 185) and Yari King (5-9, 170) both of Irmo --

Barney rushed for 1,075 yards and 14 touchdowns at quarterback and King led the team with five interceptions.

* DB/WR Marquel Goodman (6-2, 175) of Dreher -

Amassed over 735 all-purpose yards, had 72 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries as a senior.

QB Christopher Hammett (5-11, 193) of Manning High School - Threw for 1,164 yards and 13 TDs on 79-119 passing this past season and rushed for 1,010 yards and four TDs.

DE Ronell Ferguson (6-2, 240) of Lincoln County High School in Lincolnton, Ga. - Named to the Georgia Sportswriters Association All-State Team.

OL Harrison Martin (6-5, 270) of East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte.

Lineman Justin Garrick (6-4, 280) of Lower Richland.

QB Ronald Holiday Jr. (6-3, 230) of Douglass High School in Atlanta, Ga.

RB Chris Merrill (5-9, 180) of Hillcrest High School.

n T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.