Kenneth Page commits to Clemson
By Mike Maddock

Photo by Anne--Kathryn Flanagan Kenneth Page (center) commits to Clemson University. He is joined at a 9 a.m. press conference in the A.C. Flora High School Media Center by (L--R) Mike Sisk, athletics director; Richard McClure, principal; Rose Page,mother; and Robin Bacon, head football coach.

A.C. Flora's Kenneth Page verbally committed to play football for the Clemson Tigers at a press conference in the school's media center this morning. Page said, "This university is where I felt most comfortable. The academics are exceptional. The facilities are great and I personally feel they are in position to to do some phenomenal things over the next couple of years. It's a place with a family atmosphere that's like no other. So at this time with all those things said, I Kenneth Page, announce to you all that next fall I'm going to be proud to be a Clemson Tiger."

Page will most likely red shirt his freshman year, but looks to

Photo by Anne--Kathryn Flanagan Page speaks to members of the media about his decision.

compete for a starting job at guard in 2009. Page said he made the decision last night among Notre Dame, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Clemson. Page said the Tigers were the first to start recruiting him his sophomore year, but that was not a factor in his decision.

The South Carolina Gamecocks stopped recruiting Page due to concerns about a shoulder injury. Page said, "I was once considering Carolina. You know they made a business decision and I respect them for that. After I chose Clemson I felt good about my decision." On the shoulder in question he said, "I'm going to get a scope and it should be fine after that." He further stated he had no hard feelings against the Gamecocks.

A.C. Flora head football coach Robin Bacon said of Page, "He has forged a new path that will allow many other Flora student athletes opportunities like this." He also commented on Page's mother, Rose, "She has raised a son that exemplifies all the qualities anyone would want in a son. She has been a key player in this whole process and is the main reason we are here today. She has molded Kenneth into one of the finest young men I've ever been associated with in my 23 years of coaching. He is an exceptional person and he's got an exceptional mother."

Page's honors include: Participant in ESPN Under Armor All--American High School Football game; Nike first team underclassman All--American; Second team U.S. Army All--American Combine; 2007 S.C. Shrine Bowl Team; one of the top 20 players in the southern U.S. as ranked by the Tampa Tribune; Selected to 2007 All--Southern Football team by the Orlando Sentinel; 2007 Carolina Panthers Community Captain award; one of five finalists for the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award initiated in 1992 to promote academic excellence among young African-American males; one of top rated offensive linemen as rated by Rivals.com, Scout.com, and ESPN.Gcoom t.o the Forest Acres section of www.thecolumbiastar. com to watch a video of the complete press conference.