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."