Newton still a Gamecock lean

Bennettsville (S.C.) Marlboro County quarterback Syvelle Newton is headed out of town for a basketball tournament. When he returns, he'll be ready to start his official visits. So who leads?

"It's still the same," said the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder. "It's always been South Carolina on top and I spoke with the coaches and they explained to me why they've brought in two quarterbacks already in this class. They are so thin at QB that they need some for depth. I know I'd have to compete wherever I go anyhow."

Newton takes his first official visit on Jan. 10 to the Gamecocks and has Clemson (Jan. 17) and UCLA (Jan. 24) after that.

"I don't think I'll need any others," he said. "A lot of teams are coming in and asking me to visit, but I don't want to confuse the issue. If I go out west, it will be to UCLA. Otherwise I stay in state at either USC or Clemson. Right now South Carolina is still on top."

Newton's basketball team will be in Florida during the Holidays for a tournament.