Published: 07:12 PM, Thu Nov 08, 2012
South View football star Greg Gilmore commits to LSU
Greg Gilmore is going from one Tiger den to another.
The South View High School Tigers nationally ranked defensive line prospect ended a two-year recruiting odyssey Thursday by making a verbal commitment to play for Louisiana State University Tigers. Gilmore revealed his decision to a national audience as part of the "Recruiting Nation'' television show on ESPNU.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder chose LSU over a list of more than 25 major-college programs who have offered him scholarships. The Tigers beat out runner-up Florida and Oklahoma, which were Gilmore's final three options.
Gilmore said he didn't come to a final choice until Wednesday evening. One major factor that tipped the scales in LSU's favor was the opportunity for early playing time seemed better with the Tigers.
"I wanted the opportunity (to play early),'' Gilmore said in a telephone interview following his announcement. "I did the research on each school because I wasn't going to make a blind decision.
"But it was still difficult to decide between Florida and LSU. What really got me was two days ago a defensive tackle (freshman Jafar Mann) decided to transfer from Florida and that would have opened up more spots for me there to play early. But with LSU, I liked they are losing six guys on the (defensive) front.''
Major college programs began recruiting Gilmore soon after he joined the South View varsity as a sophomore when he made 70 tackles and earned second-team All-Mid-South 4-A Conference honors. He received his first scholarship offer in June following his sophomore year from South Carolina.
Gilmore followed with a 79-tackle, two-sack performance as a junior to be named to the All-Mid-South 4-A first team, then capped his career by making 90 tackles as a senior.
South View coach Randy Ledford said Gilmore is the most highly recruited player he's coached, including former South View tight end Jonathan Hannah who signed with South Carolina in 2005.
"He (Gilmore) would have to be the No. 1, probably, as far as the number of schools that really came after him hard,'' Ledford said. "Position wise, he's obviously the No. 1 defensive lineman we've had.''
Ledford has played Gilmore at both defensive end and tight end this season. He is rated the nation's No. 11 strongside defensive end prospect by Rivals.com, but Gilmore is expected to play defensive tackle for LSU.
Now that he's made a college choice, Gilmore said he'll concentrate on preparing for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game in December and the Under Armour All-American Game in January.
"I'm happy this (decision) is over. It's a big monkey off my back,'' Gilmore said. "Now, I want to work on getting healthy. I want to be ready for the Shrine Bowl and for the Under Armour game where I'll get to compete with some of the best in the nation.''
Gilmore is the fourth Cumberland County senior to commit to play major-college football. He joins Jack Britt receiver Jalen McDaniel and Gray's Creek offensive lineman Patrick Roane, both of whom have committed to N.C. State, and Douglas Byrd defensive end Kevin McCoy (Navy).
Tiger tradition
Here are former South View High School players who have signed to play for Football Bowl Subdivision programs. Each player's name, position and the college they signed with is listed below.
Del Cunningham, QB (Hawaii)
Antonio Dingle, DL (Virginia)
Jamez Griffin, DB (North Carolina)
Kyndraus Guy, DL (North Carolina)
Jonathan Hannah, TE (South Carolina)
Daniel Inman, OL (Georgia)
Wayne Inman, OL (East Carolina)
Charles Kirby, FB (Virginia)
Dahman McKinnon, LB (Virginia Tech)
Chris Rocketti, QB (Army)
Marcus Wall, RB (North Carolina)
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.