Townsend loves first visit

Delran (N.J.) Holy Cross wide receiver James Townsend was very impressed on his first official visit.

"South Carolina was off the hook," said the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder. "I had a great time down there with my family. I have family from the area and my family in New Jersey loved it down there. I was hosted by Lance Laury and I really liked talking to coach (Joker) Phillips who is the wideout coach. I think they really need me there."

Townsend said he almost committed but decided to hold off for one reason.

"I keep thinking about playing with my best friend," he said. "Wali Lundy and I are really tight and I'm supposed to go to Virginia this weekend. If I can't do UVA this weekend, I'll go to Syracuse and scheduled UVA for Jan. 10 or something. Virginia and South Carolina are my two favorites."

Townsend also has dreadlocks like New Jersey visitor Cory Boyd. Boyd was told he'd need to cut his hair if he committed to USC, did Townsend hear the same thing?

"Yeah, I was told that," he said. "It's not a big deal to me. I have smaller dreads and if South Carolina is the place for me, I don't care about my hair."