Turned down offers from Bama, Florida and LSU
Dillon junior linebacker Joe Blue gave his verbal commitment to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2014. According to Dillon head coach Jackie Hayes, Blue says he wants to play college football close to home, and in what he believes is the best conference in America, the SEC.
Blue turned down offers from dozens of major schools, including Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Florida. He will join three other WPDE All-Zoners from Dillon at South Carolina, Kwinton Smith, D.J. Park and Bryce King.
Blue is a two-way star at Dillon, helping the Wildcats to a Class 2A State Championship last season. At linebacker, the 5'11" 235 pounder is a hard hitter, and a leader on Dillon's defense, nicknamed The Nasty Cats, who led the area with least points allowed at just eight per game. He's strong, thick, and runs the forty yard dash in just over 4.5 seconds.
He will also be considered as an option for the Gamecocks on offense at either fullback or tailback. Blue scored 18 touchdowns this season, averaging 6.65 yards a carry. He ran for 96 yards on 16 carries in Dillon's 21-6 victory over Fairfield Central in the State Championship, capping a 13-1 campaign.
