Football: Clement to Pitt, Cooper to Temple

The loaded SJ class of 2013 continues to make college commitments before the summer of senior year.

Glassboro running back Corey Clement has committed to Pitt and Mainland kicker Jim Cooper has committed to Temple.

"It felt like the right place for me, said Clement, who commited Saturday after attending a camp at Pittl.

Clement set the SJ single-season rushing record last season with 2,510 and also scored 36 TDs. He had 238 yards and 4 TDs in a SJ Group 1 title game win over Pennsville.

Clement is regard as a four-star recruit by scouts.com and ESPN. He has offers from more than 20 colleges, including Notre Dame, Penn State, Florida State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Boston College.

"It was wearing on me," Clement said. "I wanted to jump the gun and make a decision and it feels like I made the right one."

Cooper, another likely record-setter, committed to Temple on Saturday.

"Temple is going places," Cooper said.

Ironicially, Cooper's dad, also named Jim, kicked for Temple in the mid-1980s. But the younger Cooper said that wasn't a factor in his decision.

"My dad could have kicked for USC or Florida or Alabama, I'd still be going to Temple," Cooper said.

Cooper kicked 8 FGs last season and also had 13 touchbacks. He has 24 career FGs.

The SJ record is 30 by Lenape's Rob Juliano in 1990.

Clement and Cooper join Timber Creek's Greg Webb (Penn State), Oakcrest's Brandon Bell (Penn State), Eastern's Eli Woodard (Ohio State), Absegami's Rashad Kinlaw (Notre Dame), Woodbury's Anthony Averett (Alabama) and Moorestown's Shane Rafter (Temple) as SJ rising juniors who have made commitments to D-1 programs.

Players can't sign letters of intent until February 6, 2013.

-- Phil Anastasia

-- Phil Anastasia