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West Virginia coaches were in the stands to see Clemons, who had three catches for 49 yards. Representatives from the U.S. Army also attended the game to officially nominate Clemons for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl later this year. Clemons was introduced before the game and waved an Army flag as he led Valley out of the tunnel.
Recruiting: Valley's Clemons chooses Michigan
Saturday, October 28, 2006
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Toney Clemons said his cousin, Steve Breaston, didn't play a role in Clemons choosing a college. But from the looks of Clemons' wardrobe yesterday, he wouldn't mind following in Breaston's footsteps.
Clemons, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior receiver at Valley High School, announced he had made a verbal commitment to the University of Michigan. Clemons made the announcement at Valley yesterday, sporting a Michigan Alamo Bowl jersey with Breaston's No. 15. Breaston is a Woodland Hills graduate and a senior receiver at Michigan.
"I grew up a Michigan fan. I just never thought Michigan would take a shot at me," Clemons said.
Clemons said Pitt and Tennessee were his other top choices. He said Michigan was No. 1 on his list for a while, but wasn't convinced the feeling was mutual until he visited the school this summer and talked with coach Lloyd Carr.
"A lot of schools tell you that you're their No. 1 priority, but you don't really know," said Clemons, ranked among the top 20 receivers in the country by some scouting services.
"When I sat down with coach Carr, he knew everything about me and he showed me how much they wanted me. That's when I knew I was a top recruit for them because he said if you come in, we'll stop recruiting every other receiver.
"The only pure receivers they're taking are me and Junior Hemingway [of Conway, S.C.]."
Clemons is an outstanding athlete, winning PIAA Class AA championships as a junior in the long jump and 110-meter high hurdles. Clemons has only 20 receptions this season.
"I'm not disappointed in my season and I'll tell you why. It's hard to get me the ball because I'm facing triple coverage sometimes," Clemons said. "Other players on our team have benefited from that, and that makes me smile. There comes a time in life when you have to sacrifice."
Former Valley star Clemons leaves Michigan
Buzz up!
By Bill Beckner Jr., VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Photos
Toney Clemons
Eric Felack/Valley News Dispatch
About the writer
Bill Beckner Jr. can be reached viae-mail or at 724-224-2696.
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As he continues to progress as a major-college wide receiver, Michigan's Toney Clemons wants to do more than run dead-end routes and watch teammates catch all the passes.
He wants to be more involved offensively.
But the Valley graduate doesn't believe that will happen at Michigan, so he is leaving Ann Arbor.
Clemons, a sophomore, was been released athletically by Michigan and plans to transfer to another Division I school at the end of the spring semester.
He has not decided where he'll play next.
"It's time for me to make a change and go in another direction than what I am needed for," said Clemons, a two-year letterman who has 12 career receptions for 106 yards and no touchdowns. "I still love Michigan. It's still my No. 1. Athletically, this is the right move for me.
"I want to take my blessings and gifts elsewhere."
Clemons has not practiced with the Wolverines this spring.
NCAA regulations call for athletes who transfer from one Division I school to another to sit out one year. Clemons (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) will use the year as a redshirt season, so he'll have two more years of eligibility when he returns to football with his new school.
Clemons said he would love to play for a school in the Pac-10, Southeastern Conference or Atlantic Coast Conference, but he has no intentions to remain with a team from the Big Ten.
He hasn't ruled out Pitt or West Virginia.
"Pitt's always on your mind," Clemons said. "I'm not sure where I'll end up. I am open to everywhere. I am going to take some trips. It's crazy; like the whole recruiting process is starting over again."
Clemons' sister, Mycaiah, is a senior track standout at Pitt.
Clemons was recruited by former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr, and current coach Rich Rodriguez courted him at West Virginia.
With Rodriguez spreading the field and running the ball more at Michigan, a la his Pat White/Steve Slaton days at WVU, Clemons thinks he may be left on the shelf come game days.
"I had a long talk with (Rodriguez) and he wasn't too happy with me leaving," Clemons said. "I just don't want to play in a spread offense. This is best for me as an athlete."
Clemons came to Michigan soon after his cousin, Steve Breaston, left for the NFL.
Clemons said he has told Breaston, a receiver for the Arizona Cardinals who played against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, about his decision.