Ex-teammates in Carolina catch it from all sides

Former Marlboro County all-state quarterback Syvelle Newton, is a sophomore quarterback who started the last game and leads the Gamecocks in total offense. Tennessee freshman linebacker Robert Ayres, who is being redshirted after shoulder surgery, was one of Newton's teammates.

Earlier this week, Ayres reportedly called to ask about Newton's sprained ankle.

"Robert came home two weeks ago and our coaches here picked at him, and we told him if Syvelle got us tickets to the game we would have to wear our Carolina stuff,'' Marlboro coach Dean Boyd said jokingly.

"Robert said, 'Don't you wear that stuff. I'll get you some tickets. Tennessee is all he could talk about. Of course, (UT defensive coordinator) John Chavis grew up in Dillon, about a 20-minute drive just down the road. I think a lot of him."

Ringer can empathize with Boyd's predicament.

Two of Ringer's former players, South Carolina freshman safety Ko Simpson and Tennessee freshman cornerback Jonathan Hefney, will be starting in the game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Another former Rock Hill player, Terrell Davis, is a defensive player for the Gamecocks.

While Hefney was a highly regarded prospect, Simpson is the biggest surprise story because he was not recruited by UT or any other major college program except South Carolina. He is the Gamecocks' second leading tackler with 42.

South Carolina only offered Simpson a provisional scholarship. In other words, he was a backup in case other players did not qualify or pass their physicals.

"I think sometimes colleges find it hard to believe you could have two outstanding guys on the same team," Ringer said.

"Sometimes a kid like Jonathan, who gets a lot of publicity, overshadows the other one.

"Jonathan started 56 games for us and was drawing a lot of attention. You know what kind of talent Jonathan has returning kicks even though he dropped that one earlier this year and (UT coach Phillip Fulmer) won't let him do it for a while. He returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns for us."

Said Simpson, "Jonathan and I talked around playing college ball together but, of course, that didn't work out.

Depending on who tells the story, Tennessee didn't recruit Simpson because of his academics and/or slight build.

"I think it was more because of school,'' Simpson said when asked about his lack of college offers.

"I knew people were going to be doubting me and I had to come out and prove I was good enough."

As it turned out it, Hefney was the one who had to go to prep school for a year before joining UT this fall.

Simpson qualified in May of his senior season, but he was so far down the list of Carolina's priorities that he was passed over when a scholarship came open in August. So, he didn't enroll in college until January 2004.

"I detailed cars for about a month last fall at a car place in (Rock Hill)), but mostly I just hung out around the house and worked out to increase my strength,'' Simpson said.

"I was close to going to Catawba (Division II) but by mom said things happen for a reason and she stood by me and told me I could play Division I."

He has proved as much by intercepting three passes so far in his rookie season. The highlight came when he intercepted Georgia quarterback David Greene and returned the pick 56 yards for a touchdown.

Ringer and Boyd say Tennessee continues to actively recruit the Palmetto State. In fact, Tennessee is trying to woo another Marlboro County player to Knoxville.

"Kendrick Taylor (wide receiver) committed to Clemson, but Tennessee is talking to him and maybe trying to get him to reconsider,'' Boyd said.

"Tennessee has found that this state has some pretty good athletes. We don't have the numbers some of the bigger states have, but the ones we do have as are as good as the ones in other states."

Gary Lundy may be reached at 865-342-6274.