S.C. quarterback getting early interest
Landrum (S.C.) quarterback Mark Cann has the intangibles, size and ability to be a Division I-A recruit in the class of 2007.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder plays football for his father, John, for Landrum High, a Class A school near North Carolina border in Spartanburg County, S.C.
Advertisement
Cann has a good arm and has good leadership skills. He's a drop-back passer, but is mobile enough to escape pressure when he needs to. He and his father have led the Cardinals to some of their best years ever, including a playoff berth in 2005 while throwing for 1,988 yards and 14 touchdowns
Recruiters are already showing the three-year starter some attention. While no scholarship offers have come yet, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Auburn all have sent letters and there are several unofficial trips and junior days on the schedule this spring.
Cann recently took an unofficial visit to North Carolina and came away impressed.
"We met the coaches in the football building that overlooks the field," Cann said. "We toured the facilities.
"It was great. The campus is beautiful and we got to see a basketball game. Of course, their basketball program has a lot of tradition."
Tar Heels assistant coach Andre Powell showed Cann around campus.
There is irony in North Carolina checking out a Palmetto State signal caller. The Tar Heels signed B.J. Phillips from Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley in the class of 2006 and former quarterback Darian Durant, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in UNC history, hails from Florence, S.C.
This weekend, Cann plans to visit Georgia. This is his second trip to Athens. He grew up a Bulldogs fan and took an unofficial trip during the season to see the Dawgs defeat Kentucky and clinch the SEC East championship.
"The atmosphere was awesome," Cann said. "We got to take the Dawg Walk. The game was at 1 p.m., so I didn't get to see the campus, so I hope to see more of that this time."
The weekend of March 4, Cann will head to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the Crimson Tide's junior day.
Cann has not been contacted by South Carolina or Clemson.
Cann plans to potentially camp this summer at North Carolina, Alabama and Georgia and plans to attend the Clemson NIKE Camp on May 21.