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Gamecock Nation Today for Friday, Feb. 8, 2019

  • Thread starter Brian Shoemaker
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Brian Shoemaker

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Gamecock Nation Today
Helping You Be The Ultimate Gamecock Fan
Friday, February 8, 2019


Good morning!
Welcome to the second edition of Gamecock Nation Today, our new daily newsletter. After reading (or skimming) it, please...

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Thank you from the Gamecock Central Crew!

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1. The lead: Recruiting in the Southeast competitive as ever

South Carolina’s 2019 class is ranked 17th nationally by Rivals.com, which in the ultra-competitive SEC was eighth in the conference. A trio of programs (Georgia, Alabama, and LSU) swept the top-three national slots. Texas A&M, Florida, Tennessee, and Auburn all finished in the top 13 as well. Rival Clemson finished ninth nationally.

One interesting note on South Carolina’s finish as compared to the other SEC programs in front of them – Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, and South Carolina all signed one five-star prospect each. Georgia and Alabama each signed three, LSU signed four, and Texas A&M signed three. Clemson signed a pair of five-star prospects.

The Gamecocks scored recruiting victories over multiple programs in the SEC in the December and February signing periods. Here is a look at the SEC programs who wanted/were involved with several notable Gamecock signees (not a comprehensive list).
  • Alabama – Jaquaze Sorrells
  • Auburn – Jaylen Nichols, Jammie Robinson
  • Clemson – LB Derek Boykins, OL Jakai Moore, DL Zacch Pickens
  • Florida – Rodricus Fitten, Mark Fox
  • Georgia – Ryan Hilinski, Zacch Pickens, Cam Smith
  • Kentucky – Jammie Robinson
  • Missouri – William Rogers
  • Tennessee – Joseph Anderson, Xavier Legette, Jammie Robinson, Cam Smith
On the flip side, USC’s counterparts also landed some prospects the Gamecocks wanted and were heavily involved with in the '19 class. Some of the notables:
  • Auburn – WR Jashawn Sheffield, RB DJ Williams
  • Clemson – DB Andrew Booth, DB Joseph Charleston
  • Florida – LB Tyron Hopper, CB Jaydon Hill, CB Chris Steele
  • Georgia – CB DJ Daniel, OL Warren McClendon, DL Travon Walker
  • Tennessee – ATH Quavaris Crouch, RB Eric Gray, OL Wanya Morris
Top commitment by class (SEC, Clemson):
  • Alabama – RB Trey Sanders (#3 nationally)
  • Arkansas – WR Trey Knox (#128 nationally)
  • Auburn – QB Bo Nix (#29 nationally)
  • Clemson – CB Andrew Booth (#14 nationally)
  • Florida – CB Chris Steele (#19 nationally)
  • Georgia – Nolan Smith (#1 nationally)
  • Kentucky – S Moses Douglass (#231 nationally)
  • LSU – CB Derek Stingley Jr. (#1 nationally)
  • Mississippi State – OL Charles Cross (#17 nationally)
  • Missouri – S Jalani Williams (#244 nationally)
  • Ole Miss – RB Jerrion Ealy (#58 nationally)
  • South Carolina – DL Zacch Pickens (#9 nationally)
  • Tennessee – OL Darnell Wright (#16 nationally)
  • Texas A&M – DL Demarvin Leal (#10 nationally)
  • Vanderbilt – LB Anfernee Orji (four-star, outside the Rivals250)
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2. If the NCAA Football game was still around...

The Gamecock Central staff recently reminisced on the beloved NCAA Football video game (let us observe a moment of silence).

With credit to Gamecock Central podcast host Pearson Fowler, who is the brainchild of this exercise, how would we categorize each of South Carolina’s 2019 signees if the game did still exist?

As a refresher, here are the categories to classify each player that the video game utilized:

Quarterback: Pocket passer, dual-threat, or balanced?
Ryan Hilinski – Pocket passer

Running back: Power, speed, or balanced?
Kevin Harris – Power

Wide receiver: Speed, possession, or balanced?
Tyquan Johnson – Speed
Xavier Legette – Balanced
Keveon Mullins – Balanced

Tight end: Blocking, pass-catching, or balanced?
Traevon Kenion – Pass-catching
Keshawn Toney – Balanced

Offensive line: Pass-blocking, run-blocking, or balanced?
Mark Fox – Run-blocking
Jakai Moore – Balanced
Vincent Murphy – Run-blocking
Jaylen Nichols – Pass-blocking
William Rogers – Run-blocking

Defensive line: Pass-rusher, run-stopper, or balanced?
Joseph Anderson – Balanced
Devontae Davis – Pass-rusher
Rodricus Fitten – Pass-rusher
Zacch Pickens – Balanced
Jaquaze Sorrells – Balanced

Linebacker: Pass coverage, run-stopper, or balanced?
Derek Boykins – Run-stopper
Jahmar Brown – Pass coverage

Defensive backs: Coverage, hard-hitter, or balanced?
John Dixon – Coverage
Jammie Robinson – Balanced
Shilo Sanders – Hard-hitter
Cam Smith – Balanced

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3. Top-five moments of the 2019 class

With the 2019 class officially in the books as of Wednesday, Gamecock Central picks out the top-five moments of the cycle, as told by our staff.

No 5. Shilo, son of Deion

It's frankly probably not fair to Shilo Sanders how much his father has been mentioned throughout his recruiting process. But we suppose that comes with the territory when your dad is Deion Sanders, one of the best - and most entertaining - cornerbacks of all time. South Carolina recruited Shilo Sanders on his own merits. But it did gain national notoriety that Deion's son was going to be a Gamecock.

No 4. Jakai pulls the double-switch

It was big enough news that South Carolina went into Virginia and beat Penn State head to head for its top offensive line target. But offensive line signee Jakai Moore made his commitment all the more memorable when he revealed a South Carolina shirt, only to remove it in favor of a Penn State shirt and hat - then pausing - before ultimately brandishing a Gamecock shirt (link to video). Rumor has it offensive line coach Eric Wolford nearly had a heart attack.

No. 3. Two for two on National Signing Day Part 2

The beginning of the February signing period doesn't come with the fanfare that it once did, but the traditional signing day was still a nice day for the Gamecocks. Carolina added commitments (and then signatures) from not one but two four-star prospects in defensive tackle Jaquaze Sorrells and defensive back Jammie Robinson, beating out some national-level programs in the process.

No. 2. Pickens commits out of (almost) nowhere

There had been rumors throughout the day that five-star defensive end Zacch Pickens was set to make a commitment, but the T.L. Hanna star had kept his recruitment as low-key as possible, so concrete info was hard to come by. While most thought the Gamecocks held the lead at the time, it was still a bit of a surprise when Pickens decided to go ahead and pledge to Carolina following his spring game in May, rather than let the process play out.

No. 1. Hilinski commits to the Gamecocks

Landing a national-level quarterback is hard enough, but for South Carolina to go to California to get one? Completely unheard of. The Gamecocks went all the way to the left coast to land their signal-caller for 2019 and Ryan Hilinski became the face of the class, putting in countless hours recruiting other prospects to join him. He's got the intangibles in spades. South Carolina got a great one at the most important position on the field.

4. Another Carolina ... Podcast

Gamecock Central recorded a new episode of Another Carolina Podcast on Thursday. South Carolina insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell discussed a number of football and recruiting topics. (link: Another Carolina ... Podcast)

Don't be scared. If you're not tech savvy, all you have to do is click the play button. If you're passionate about Gamecock football and recruiting, you'll definitely enjoy it.

5. More From Yesterday

New assistants giving Gamecocks a big boost already. South Carolina welcomed in four new players to its 2019 signing class Wednesday, but a few weeks before that added two big pieces to the Gamecocks’ coaching staff. (link)

Five Gamecocks heading to NFL combine. Now that the Super Bowl is over, the NFL is officially hitting its offseason and the first big event is the NFL combine. In preparation for the event, the league released its list of combine participants with five Gamecock seniors making the list. (link)

Inside the commitment: Jaquaze Sorrells. Wes Mitchell writes, "In a recruiting landscape where hat switches, misdirection and dramatics are commonplace, Sorrells has a certain determined demeanor about him that I believe will help him at South Carolina and that I believe played into him ultimately choosing the Gamecocks." (link)

Rivals.com weighs in on USC's recruiting class. USC's 2019 class is now complete and Gamecock Central spoke with several recruiting analysts from across the Rivals.com network to get their thoughts on South Carolina's haul. (link)

Campbell makes preseason All-SEC team. Add another preseason accolade for Noah Campbell. The Gamecocks' sophomore earned preseason All-SEC honors, the league announced Thursday while also announcing its predicted order of finish as voted on by the SEC's coaches. (link)

Women's Basketball. After starting slow, the Gamecocks flexed their muscle, especially in the second half, cruising to a 76-42 win over Ole Miss thanks to defense creating offense. (link to a full story, photo gallery, videos)

More WBB links: Schedule/Results | SEC Standings | AP Poll

The softball team opened the season with a pair of games Thursday, beating BYU, 4-3, and losing to Baylor, 4-1. The game versus BYU was the 1,500th in program history.

Earlier this week, the PGA TOUR announced Darius Rucker will become the organization’s first formal brand ambassador. Fans can expect to see Rucker appearing more frequently as a commentator on PGA TOUR LIVE, across PGA TOUR digital channels and in-person at PGA TOUR events.

The 2018 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll was announced on Thursday. South Carolina had 100 student-athletes across five sports make the list, setting a department record that had stood since 2015. The athletics department concluded the Fall 2018 semester with a combined GPA of 3.335, the highest in history and the 24th-consecutive semester above 3.0.

Track & Field's Aliyah Abrams is featured in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.

Former USC and current pro golfer Mark Anderson shot an opening-round 70 (E) and is tied for 33rd at the Panama Championship (Web.com Tour). Anderson won last week's Country Club de Bogota Championship.

6. Need To Know: Friday-Sunday
  • Friday, 12 p.m. Track & Field. Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson.
  • Friday, 1 p.m. Women's Tennis. Plays UCLA. ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Seattle. (Time change due to weather.)
  • Friday, 4 p.m. Baseball. Continues prep for the season with a scrimmage.
  • Friday, 7 p.m. Softball. Plays Duke. Puerto Vallarta Challenge.
  • Saturday, 9:30 a.m. Track and Field. Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson.
    .
  • Saturday, 10 a.m. Equestrian. Match against TCU in Blythewood.
  • Saturday, 11 a.m. Softball. Plays Notre Dame. Puerto Vallarta Challenge.
  • Saturday, 2 p.m. Baseball. Continues prep for the season with a scrimmage.
  • Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Men's Basketball. Hosts Arkansas on the SEC Network. It's 2019 Legends Weekend. Legends in attendance will be honored at halftime. And a special recognition will be held for longtime equipment manager, Mac Credille, who retired last month after over 40 years at USC.
  • Saturday, TBD. Women's Tennis. ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Seattle.
  • Saturday, TBD. Men's Tennis. Match at N.C. State.
    .
  • Sunday, 10 a.m. Softball. Plays North Carolina. Puerto Vallarta Challenge.
  • Sunday, 2 p.m. Baseball. Continues prep for the season with a scrimmage.
  • Sunday, TBD. Women's Tennis. ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Seattle.

7. This Date in Gamecock History

February 8, 2006. Carolina traveled to Gainesville and stunned the No. 7 Gators, breaking the country's second-longest home-winning streak. USC hit seven 3-pointers in the first half and clung to a narrow two-point lead at the break. With 20 seconds left Florida was within three but Brandon Wallace blocked a 3-point attempt by UF's Taurean Green to clinch the victory. Reserve guard Bryce Sheldon, averaging only 3.6 points a game, was one of the stars, hitting four 3-pointers and scoring a season high 14 points. Tre Kelley added 17 and made three free throws in the final 26 seconds (gamecockarchives.com)

8. Around Gamecock Nation
  • Saturday - A'ja Wilson Youth Basketball Camp (SOLD OUT)
  • Feb. 14 - "Date Night" at the women's basketball game (link)
  • Feb. 23 - Gamecocks at Mardi Gras Party, New Orleans (link)
  • Feb. 24 - Charleston Gamecock Club Oyster Roast (link)
  • Feb. 25 - Atlanta, Alumni Association President's Reception (link)
  • Feb. 27 - Greenville, Alumni Association President's Reception
If you're involved with a local Gamecock Club, alumni association chapter or another Gamecock-related organization, please contact Gamecock Central publisher Brian Shoemaker at shoe@gamecockcentral.com.

9. Gamecock Nation Celebrations

Birthday: Butch Reaves. The younger brother of USC star quarterback Dan Reeves, Butch was an all-state player as a senior at Americus (Georgia) in 1963. He played on the freshman team at USC in 1964 before starting several games as a safety during his sophomore year. Reeves was the third on the team in tackles that season. A knee injury wiped out his 1966 season and he played both cornerback and wide receiver as a junior in 1967. He was a key figure in USC’s second half comeback win over North Carolina that year – he rushed for a 30-yard gain on the 75-yard drive that put USC up 9-7 and later caught a pass from Mike Fair to put the ball at the Tar Heel 8, setting up a touchdown run by Fair. The Gamecocks would go on to win 16-10. As a senior Reeves was a starting defensive halfback (cornerback) and picked off two passes against Georgia, while also coming up with an interception in USC’s 7-3 win over Clemson. Reeves was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week for his play against Georgia and after the season played in the North-South Shrine Game and the Canadian-American Bowl. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers and played for the Buffalo Bills in 1969. He now lives in Greenville. - John Parker of gamecockarchives.com

Gamecock Central birthdays: @arsporty1_a_aol.com, @haywoodforcocks, @rogers2869

If you have a Gamecock Central account (free or pay), you can add your birthday here. If you don't have a Gamecock Central account, you can add your birthday and name to your newsletter profile here.

10. Key Dates

Saturday: Mark Kingston Women’s Baseball Clinic
Feb. 15: Baseball season begins
Feb. 27: Spring football practice begins
March 6-10: SEC Women's Basketball Tournament
March 13-17: SEC Men's Basketball Tournament
March 22-23: Will Muschamp Coaches Clinic
April 6: Spring football game
April 25-27: NFL Draft
Sept. 1: Football season begins

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Last edited by a moderator:
On your first display where you laid out players you have committed. I was thinking there was going to be a lot of teams vying for some of the players. There really wasn’t a whole lot that other schools would take. First you have to identify were they still recruiting them the last week before it was signing dad.
 
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