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T.L. Hanna receiver Bryant to stick with Clemson pledge

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Clemson’s only commitment of the 2010 class is sticking with the Tigers — at least so far.

The news of Tommy Bowden’s departure from the program has not changed T.L. Hanna junior wide receiver Martavis Bryant’s pledge to play with the Tigers, his coach Kenya Fouch said Monday afternoon.

“He’ll be interested in who they replace (Bowden) with,” said Fouch, who hadn’t talked with Bryant about the news impacting his college decision. “Obviously he’s already comfortable with Dabo.”

Dabo Swinney, assistant head coach and wide receivers coach, was named interim head coach to replace Bowden for the remainder of the season.

Fouch said Bryant took the news in stride, and that Bowden was consistent during the recruiting process that “coaches come and go, even when you win.”

“It’s nothing that’s going to make us panic,” Fouch said. “(Nothing like) They fired Coach Bowden, I’m going to jump off the ship.”

Fouch has said Bryant has been a Clemson fan for most of his life, and didn’t hesitate when the offer arrived.

While Bryant committed to Clemson in the spring, Fouch noted that there’s plenty of time before he signs with any college — February 2010. Bryant holds other offers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and LSU.

Bryant hasn’t received an offer since early September in part because Fouch said he hasn’t sent out any more highlight films. Fouch said he’s not yet sure if his receiver wants more teams to evaluate him.

Bryant topped 100 receiving yards for the first time this season last week in a 25-0 win at Easley. He had four catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he has 21 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns.

Bryant will take on a more visible role in the Hanna offense with senior Quinton Payton now at quarterback. Payton, who has committed to N.C. State as a receiver, moved to quarterback last week to jumpstart an offense that has topped 15 points in a game only twice this season.

On the surface, it would appear that opponents would double cover Bryant, without Payton on the other side. But Fouch said most teams have played a safety over the top against both receivers, and he expected similar defenses the rest of the season.

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