Clausen Favors Three

Who's the top prospect among the Class of 2007? It very well might be quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Clausen, from California, has three school favorites at this time - Southern Cal, Notre Dame and South Carolina.

When it comes to recruits among the Class of 2007, perhaps the most popular of the bunch, at least until he makes his commitment, will be Jimmy Clausen. Clausen, 6-3 and 195 pounds, is from Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian High School. He is a two year starter and is 28-0 thus far. Last year he led his team to another championship after going 156/231 for 2,778 yards and 30 touchdowns.

“Right now I favor Notre Dame, Southern Cal and South Carolina,” said Clausen. “I like Weis a lot at Notre Dame. I like the school and the people there. Everyone thinks I am going there but I am not leaning anywhere right now.

“USC has that winning tradition. I really like what they have done with that program and it’s very close to home, only about an hour.

“I like Coach (Steve) Spurrier at South Carolina. I love how he develops quarterback, they have lots of great athletes on that team and they are a program on the rise. Look at what they did in his first season there.

“I am just taking things day to day right now.”

Clausen is the likely favorite to become the Scout.com pre-season top ranked recruit. This west coast signal caller is the younger brother of former University of Tennessee quarterbacks Casey and Rick Clausen. The youngest is the best of the bunch at this stage. Clausen has great mechanics, a big time arm and has the football IQ you look for in a quarterback. Right now, Clausen just wants to work on the basics.

“Last year I made improvements on everything and had a good year. I just want to hit the weights and get bigger, stronger and faster. I am going to work with my quarterback coach and just try and fine tune everything.”