This is coming from me, and I’ve seen others like it circulating the internet this morning. Most of the proposals I’ve seen have a similar thread to them, with minor variations here and there. My personal proposal would mean every team would play every other team at least once every three years, it would keep the conference at an 8-game schedule (for those of us who have rivals out of conference), it would keep most of the established “untouchable” rivalries in play, and create new divisions and championship games each year. In other words, I think adding Texas and Oklahoma only makes this conference better. Check out my proposal here:

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He very well would be the highest paid collegiate athlete.

I see LSU and Ga. have, I am just curious.

CornerstoneColumbia.com

*** With the long-awaited public commitment of four-star DB Keenan Nelson Jr. wrapped, it’s a good time to take a look at where things stand with Gamecock football’s 2022 recruiting class.

We dive into the who, what, when, where, and why of remaining targets in this edition of The Insider Report.

*** First, an update on numbers. 16 verbal commitments are in the boat for this class. With scholarships for defensive back transfers Karon Prunty and Tyrese Ross counting toward the 2022 class, that gives South Carolina an initial counter tally of 18. That leaves 7 spots to get to the 25 maximum, with plenty of priorities still remaining.

As far as what’s on the commitment list and what South Carolina’s staff hopes to add from a numbers standpoint, it’s entirely possible that South Carolina is finished at quarterback, offensive line, and defensive back. That’s not to say the staff has ceased communicating with or tracking guys at a couple of those spots – that’s not the case – but the numbers are cramped right now with other spots in heavier demand.

Here’s a general look at numbers, with the caveat that South Carolina’s taken a flexible approach in this class. That flexible approach will need to remain in place, too, based on the potential acquisitions that South Carolina would not be able to turn down if the opportunity presents.

Running back – 0 commitments (1 spot)

Wide Receiver – 2 commitments (1-2 spots)

Tight end – 0 commitments (1 spot for Oscar Delp)

Defensive tackle – 2 commitments (1-2 spots)

Edge – 1 commitment (1 spot)

Linebacker – 1 commitment (1-2 spots)

*** At running back, the candidate board has shifted from the two backs we’ve primarily tracked throughout the summer. One of those is Virginia’s Ramon Brown. The staff got a late start with Brown due to timing and still secured an official visit in June, but he pledged to Virginia Tech earlier this month.

The other four-star back that took an official visit to South Carolina this summer was Jaylon Glover. While the Gamecocks have been in that race, FSU and Florida have been ahead. Even though the Gators got in late, it still appears Florida has some momentum.

Landing a quality option at this position after others roll off the board would not be without precedent in the 2022 class for South Carolina. At quarterback, the Gamecock staff went Tanner Bailey, Drew Allar, and Tayven Jackson, all prospects that ultimately committed elsewhere prior to Carolina zeroing in on – and landing – Delaware’s Braden Davis.

As far as where things go next, it’s difficult to tell at this moment. There’s a pool of candidates to potentially pluck from, or others could emerge.

Four-star Jaziun Patterson out of Deerfield Beach camped with South Carolina this summer alongside a host of his high school teammates. Around a month ago, Patterson cited the Gamecocks, along with FSU and Penn State, as programs he had been hearing from on a regular basis.

Another back from a major program in Florida – St. Thomas Aquinas product Anthony Hankerson – worked out for Hardesty this summer on campus; he did the same with UCF. Arizona and Western Kentucky have also stayed in touch.

Montario Hardesty’s long had a good relationship with the family of four-star Dallan Hayden, and for a time there was a wonder as to whether or not the Gamecocks could attract him to campus for a visit. Hayden pledged to Ohio State this summer, and it’s difficult to see things changing there.

For a time, we’d wondered if the new staff would make a move with Georgia’s Damari Alston, who took a virtual visit back in the spring that seemed to be productive. Nothing went on the books, ultimately, and it looks like Auburn is the front runner there.

It was somewhat curious when South Carolina did not make the top 10 for Virginia’s George Pettaway back in May following an offer being dispensed.

Penn State was a significant factor for Pettaway, but the Nittany Lions have a pair of talented running back commitments. Auburn, Florida, Michigan, and Oregon are also thought to be heavily in it for Pettaway. This four-star is planning on taking some official visits in the fall, so could South Carolina come from behind and score one?

As Wes Mitchell has reported, Hardesty has a good relationship with North Carolina standout Omarion Hampton, who’s down to a final three of Florida, North Carolina, and Penn State and plans an announcement on July 22. The in-state Tar Heels appear to have momentum here. South Carolina has not gotten Hampton to campus yet, and will need to do so with him committed to another program this fall if it’s to happen.

Then, there’s local product CJ Stokes out of Hammond.

Stokes said publicly after his commitment to Michigan that he wanted to head out of state and forge his own path. Yet, prior to that pledge, we’d heard that the Gamecocks would likely be a major factor if the new staff made a push. To be clear, it doesn’t appear there’s been a decision on whether or not that may happen, and what could transpire if it did. It is something we’ll be keeping an eye on, though.

*** A trio of wide receivers remains in the crosshairs of the Gamecock staff.

Dutch Fork's Antonio Williams, Kentucky's Dane Key, and Florida's Jayden Gibson are all prospects that have been on campus at South Carolina and in which there's real mutual consideration.

GamecockCentral.com's last report on Williams indicated that Ole Miss and South Carolina would score official visits this season, and that a decision was likely before Dutch's Fork inevitable deep playoff run. He's been a priority from the start, and the staff has worked itself into a nice position, albeit one that will need to be held for the next several months.

With Key, South Carolina hosted him on a quality official visit last month and the staff has more than one helpful connection to the family. Key told us after that visit that a decision was "way off", so he's taking his time. Realistically, Kentucky should probably be considered the long-term front runner. Yet, South Carolina's in there.

Gibson had a great unofficial visit, by his account and others we've heard, in June. He plans to return this season for an official, and to say that South Carolina has a reservation at this table would be accurate. The team to beat? Probably Florida, and in-state Miami's in there as well. If one program could pull him out of state, South Carolina would probably be it. Gibson will take some fall officials prior to rendering a choice.

*** At tight end, Oscar Delp. That's it, that's the update.

The staff has pushed all the chips to the middle of the table in its pursuit of the Delp and will wait on him until the end. We don't have anything more substantial to offer beyond our recent update on where things stand.

If you want the short version, know that South Carolina's in it and has a real chance, but is battling Georgia. The most likely timeline for Delp seems to be late September or earlier.

*** Similar to Delp, we'll keep things at defensive tackle short and sweet, primarily because we ran something that detailed the board here several days ago, if you missed it.

There's information within that report on where things stand, plus timelines.

*** At defensive back, South Carolina has six verbal commitments - counting Irmo's Nick Emmanwori as a linebacker. With all the other needs on the board and numbers squeezed overall, that means the staff could opt to stand pat, save for a big-timer wanting to jump in.

Alabama's Trequon Fegans - who officially visited last month - may qualify as such. South Carolina's probably top two on his list. Miami is ultimately expected to get the nod here, though.

The Gamecocks nearly landed another Alabama product - four-star Antonio Kite - after his official visit this summer. Nick Saban opted to push, and he doesn't lose a ton of in-state guys. Kite pledged to the Crimson Tide, but we may still be watching that one just in case.

*** The staff's prior flip from Georgia - Donovan Westmoreland - has the physical skill set to play a true linebacker spot as a former safety with the requisite size and measurables. Yet, his strength is as an edge rusher, and that's what the staff appears to have him earmarked at now.

The desire is to add a guy here, and there are a few candidates that come to mind.

Let's begin with Jaishawn Barham, who made an unofficial visit to Columbia in June during camp season. He rarely grants interviews and says little when he does. We do know that Mike Peterson has South Carolina as a major factor here, and he should get him back on campus for an official this season. Maryland and Penn State are also heavily in the running. The bottom line is this - if a team can pull him away from the Northeast, South Carolina's probably the one that can do it. Nothing is imminent here in terms of Barham rendering a choice.

Charlotte's James Pearce - another one that rarely goes on the record - likewise made a trip to Columbia this summer and is on the radar.

Philly's Abdul Carter - who made an official this summer to Columbia - could play on the edge or as a true linebacker. His father said publicly this summer that South Carolina was his favorite. There's no real timeline here for resolution.

*** Emmanwori's on the board at linebacker, but there's more needed in terms of numbers and talent at this position.

South Carolina hosted Florida's R Mason Thomas for a workout and a subsequent official visit this summer, but longstanding relationships with Iowa State - who was in very early here - won out.

Still, we'll likely be tracking this prospect going forward.

One candidate we'll spot in Williams-Brice Stadium this fall is Stone Blanton.

As for how Blanton's official visit in June went to Columbia, he gave it a rave review. And, folks we spoke with familiar with the visit put it on par with Ryan Brubaker's experience that same weekend. Brubaker, of course, is now committed to South Carolina.

We're not making that leap at this point, because there's a lot to overcome with Blanton. He's a Mississippi kid pledged to the newly-crowned national champs for baseball, and there's competition on the gridiron for his services, too.

While no dates are set, Blanton is planning game visits to Columbia, Starkville, and potentially to Texas A&M this season. When we spoke with Blanton on the heels of his official visit to Columbia, he was fired up about the prospect of the game atmosphere at Williams-Brice. South Carolina will have another in-person crack here.

We also recently profiled Virginia's Tyler Banks as a potential July visitor. While no dates are set, it's possible he could be on campus the last week of this month, during the open period.

South Carolina's liked Banks as a backer, and the Gamecocks made the top seven sight unseen. If he makes it on campus at some point, things could advance.

*** Any follow-up questions or something I didn't address that you'd like me to address? Let me know.

*** Today's Insider Report is brought to you by Cornerstone Financial Management. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Good Life Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Cornerstone Financial Management and Good Life Advisors, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.

Southwest Airlines, Delta, FedX, UPS, Schwab, Fidelity, AirBNB, Amazon all having problems. Russian hackers again ?

Now there is chatter that it could be only 3 super conferences. The ACC, SEC and the Big 10.

Deion Sanders walks out of his media days because a reporter called him by his first name. Said he should be treated like Nick Saban. Wow I have heard a lot of reporters call him Nick and he never blew up. Geez some people need to get over themselves.

I have been reading some comments about Penn State made by gamecock fans on another board. They are saying we "sanduskied" Penn State, and they are calling them "penetration U" which is particularly disgusting. Do we have no class at all? The victims were young children for God's sake.

South Carolina, Mississippi State and Texas A&M - he is, of course, committed to Mississippi State for baseball.

Four 4 team divisions with the top 2 overall teams playing in championship game. You would have 3 every year opponents and rotate 6-7 teams. It isn’t aligned by exact geography, but this keeps most of the traditional rivalries alive and keeps AM and TX out of the same division which I think would have to happen.

SC, Florida, Georgia, Vandy
Alabama, Auburn, TN and KY
Miss, Ole Miss, LSU And Texas
Missouri, OK, Arkansas and AM

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Read where Texas and Oklahoma reached out to SEC about joining. Thoughts?

I think they would have to end that experiment. I van's see the SEC allowing them to have their own network.

Drum roll, please

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HELL NO TO CLEMSON JOINING THE SEC! Hell no. Backstabbers. We should align with TAMU IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES, I.e, vote no to Texas.

What do y'all think? I like it.

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