Bowden's ouster may sway recruits

Top prospects in N.C. might stay home

The chances of two of the top high school football players in North Carolina going to Clemson probably decreased Monday when Tigers coach Tommy Bowden decided to step down at Clemson.

Xavier Nixon of Fayetteville Britt, the top-ranked offensive lineman in the country, still has nine schools on his list, but Clemson isn't expected to make the final five, Britt coach Richard Bailey said.

"Xavier hasn't made his top five public, but I don't think Clemson will be on it," Bailey said. "He liked Coach Bowden a lot."

Nixon has attended two Florida games recently and also has shown a great deal of interest in Miami, LSU and North Carolina.

Jheranie Boyd of Gastonia Ashbrook is rated among the top 10 wide receiver prospects nationally.

"Clemson has been on his list and probably will stay on his list," Ashbrook coach Mike Briggs said. "But I don't know how strong Clemson is on his list, and I don't think it is going to be as strong with Tommy Bowden gone."

Briggs said Boyd has shown more interest in N.C. State and North Carolina in recent weeks.

Clemson has commitments from two North Carolina high school players -- fullback Tyler Shatley of East Burke and wide receiver Larry Raper of Shelby.

Meanwhile, Clemson recruit DeVonte Holloman, considered to be one of the top high school safeties in the country, has withdrawn his commitment and says he wants to look at UNC.

Holloman, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior, transferred from Charlotte Independence to Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe at the beginning of the season. He said he "was surprised but not surprised" when he heard about Bowden's departure Monday morning.

"I wasn't expecting it at the beginning of the season," Holloman said. "Maybe at the end, but it's not a situation I want to go into -- with a whole new head coach and all the changes that will probably happen."

Holloman took an unofficial visit to Tennessee last month and plans to take official visits to South Carolina this week and LSU on Oct. 25. He said he also wanted to visit UNC and was in the process of contacting the Tar Heels coaches who initially recruited him.