The SEC, NCAA and a Fight to Change College Sports
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The SEC, NCAA and a Fight to Change College Sports
Greg Sankey is exhausted with the NCAA. And the SEC commissioner isn't the only one.
*** Weekend Recruiting Updates (Oscar Delp update)
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3:40 P.M. UPDATE- OSCAR DELP
Delp was blown away by the visit, he said, loved everything about it, and left with higher expectations that he did coming in. He said he got a home feeling and that the way he was treated was "insane".
The coaching staff, Delp said, was great, and he had good talks with Beamer, Satterfield, and Kimrey. He said that he and Kimrey have a natural relationship and that it was hard to believe it was their first time being face to face.
As for how South Carolina's use of the tight ends, he said the way they use them is "crazy" at South Carolina and that he didn't realize it, even. He believes he could get the ball in his hands a lot at South Carolina.
Colten Gauthier was Delp's host, but he spent time with Luke Doty and Nick Muse as well. Muse told Delp about how tight end friendly the offense was, and that Delp is faster than him (haha!).
This was Delp's last official - he has one left if he wants, but he probably isn't taking it. For now, he's taking a step back and evaluating everything. Whenever the time is right, he'll pull the trigger. I one point it was possibly going to be on his mother's birthday on September 30 but now it could be sooner. He said he'll rely on a gut feel for what feels like home.
southcarolina.rivals.com
3:20 P.M. UPDATE - ANTHONY ROSE
Rose said part of his de-commitment was wanting to get his family up here to see the facility and meet the staff before committing. He got his grandfather up to campus for the official and that was the final thing he needed to do to pull the trigger. In the end of visit meeting with Beamer the coaches asked if he was going to come back and Rose pointed to his grandfather and said to ask him and that's when it became official.
Now, Rose puts on his recruiting hat and said he's going to try and work on getting Chris Graves and Nikai Martinez to commit.
Jaheim Bell was Rose's host and the two hit it off, from what he said.
southcarolina.rivals.com
3:13 P.M. UPDATE - TREQUON FEGANS
Fegans said South Carolina "most definitely" gave themselves a shot this weekend to land his commitment. He was blown away by the facility and the family atmosphere. He said the facility might be the best he's seen during his visit spree. He's only taken an official to Miami and didn't rule out taking another in July but hasn't decided yet. He wants to make a decision before his senior season.
Sam Reynolds was his host and the message from him was about if he wanted to leave the state of Alabama for college to come to South Carolina. Torrian Gray also sat down to talk with him and showed some film.
STORY: https://southcarolina.rivals.com/ne...nitely-gave-themselves-a-shot-during-official
3:10 P.M. UPDATE - BRADEN DAVIS
Braden Davis said he had an awesome visit, that it was good to be around everyone again. He thought the weekend went well from a recruiting perspective and in terms of building relationships with other prospects.
Davis said he doesn't try to give any other prospects "fake stuff" when recruiting him, that he just points other prospects to the people, which is the reason he committed himself.
He hung around with Luke Doty and Marshawn Lloyd during the visit and that those three are close now. It wasn't about recruiting, just being "one of the guys" now.
Davis said he already feels like a Gamecock, that he kind of forgets that he's going back to Delaware to play a high school season.
He chatted with WR Dane Key and, of course, he knows Tomiwa Durojaiye quite well, being his teammate.
2:45 P.M. UPDATE - EMORY FLOYD
Floyd said that he really liked bonding with the team, and he said nothing was fake about the coaching staff.
Georgia native David Spaulding was Floyd's player host. Spaulding told him really good things about Torrian Gray as a defensive backs coach.
Gray told Floyd that he liked his length, speed, and his smarts as a defensive back.
Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina are in Floyd's top three, and he's been to all three for in-person visits.
He's looking to make a decision in August if possible, but said there's "no rush" in that regard.
southcarolina.rivals.com
2:25 P.M. UPDATE - CHRIS GRAVES
We caught up with 4-star CB Chris Graves out of Florida, who said he spent a lot of time on the trip with ZaQuandre White, who's from his hometown.
Graves called South Carolina's facility "one of the best in college football" and, like the others, touted the family atmosphere in Columbia as something that really stood out to him.
Although Graves admitted he may take some more visits in the fall to see some games and game atmospheres, he has had a commitment date on the books of July 9. He said a top four is coming out on Friday and intimated South Carolina should be in there.
FULL STORY: https://southcarolina.n.rivals.com/...-highlights-gamecock-program-for-chris-graves
AFTERNOON UPDATES - KEENAN NELSON, NICK JAMES, NIKAI MARTINEZ
***Four-star cornerback Nikai Martinez finished things up and said he really enjoyed his time in Columbia. When asked what kind of impression South Carolina made this weekend, he said he can see what Shane Beamer is building and he's impressed with the program already.
Dominick Hill was his host, pairing Martinez with another Florida defensive back. The two have known each other for a while, even before Hill came to Columbia. Martinez met with South Carolina's coaches and talked about his role in the defense and how they can use him, mentioning they could play at nickel and as a boundary corner.
He loved the "family base" and said everyone was connected with "no bad blood." It's "just a good time being over there at the facility." He doesn't have any other visit lined up at the moment.
FULL STORY:
southcarolina.n.rivals.com
*** Four-star defensive tackle Nick James (from Alabama, but plays at IMG Academy in Florida) was hosted on the trip by Jordan Burch. He felt they could get along well and had some similar traits.
He said the players and coaches in Columbia stood out and that he thought they were "going to build something very special" at South Carolina.
Another interesting thing that James discussed in our wrap-up talk with him, something that many prospects (especially from out of state) mention is the notion that the trip and what he saw at South Carolina was something he didn't expect.
"It made me think of them different," James said.
He talked a lot with Jimmy Lindsey during the trip and said he felt Lindsey could develop him as a player and a person.
James is scheduled to announce on July 3 and said this visit put the Gamecocks in the top three, that South Carolina would have a say. He also mentioned Ohio State, Florida, and Texas A&M.
FULL STORY: https://southcarolina.n.rivals.com/...vy-input-in-decision-for-james-after-official
*** Four-star defensive back Keenan Nelson said "everything" caught his attention during his official visit. The players, from his sense, really like the new coaching staff.
Darius Rush was Nelson's player host, and Torrian Gray and Shane Beamer likewise spent a lot of time with him.
Nelson has built a good relationship with Torrian Gray, and Nelson said that Gray has the background and proof that he knows what it takes to develop.
Only two officials have been taken so far for Nelson to Penn State and South Carolina. Nelson says he's going to talk to his parents when he gets home and that he's looking to make a decision sometime this summer. He's not looking to drag it out, it appears. No favorites - publicly - for Nelson at this time.
The Gamecock staff has told Nelson he has the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary -safety, nickel, or corner.
southcarolina.rivals.com
SUNDAY NOON UPDATE (R MASON THOMAS)
R Mason Thomas, like many other prospects, said that "the people" caught his attention the most in Columbia during his official visit.
He spent time primarily with DC/LB coach Clayton White, plus defensive assistant Joe Bowen, who also works with the LBs on the team - plus Mike Peterson.
Reminder: Thomas is listed as a weakside DE on his Rivals profile but South Carolina is eyeing him as a versatile guy that can play WILL or MIKE LB or even grow into a rush end.
He did not previously know that South Carolina had the country's top-ranked international business school, which caught his eye. He believes that the team's facilities and resources can help him succeed, he said.
Thomas doesn't have any other trips planned at this time. Coastal Carolina and ECU are also trying to get him in for trips at some point. He's looking at making a decision early in July.
He measured in at 6-2, 217 during his trip.
STORY: https://southcarolina.rivals.com/news/r-mason-thomas-closing-in-on-possible-commit-date
SUNDAY MORNING 10 A.M. UPDATE:
The official visits will be wrapping up this morning/early afternoon and we'll do our best to get feedback from as many prospects as possible. We'll post some notes right here when we do.
Last night featured family photos on the field at Williams-Brice and dinner in The Zone before prospects split off with their hosts again.
This morning features breakfast at Colonial Life Arena followed by one final trip to the football ops building.
There the prospects will enjoy a presentation from Derrick Moore, some videos, and a final presentation from Shane Beamer then final meetings with Beamer and the assistant coaches.
Again, we'll post anything we get right here and look for stories to be posted on the front page and linked on TIF as well.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:
The feedback is typical but positive so far as things seem to be going well with all 12 official visitors this weekend.
As we've mentioned before, the majority of the OV takes place on Saturday, so it's a long but fun day for the prospects and their families.
The day started with an 8 a.m. wakeup for breakfast at the Dodie Academic Center shortly after that. The academic part of the visit is sort of combined with breakfast as professors join for the meal and the visitors learn about the "student" side of being a student athlete.
Shortly after that, the visitors and their families are split up for a player panel where they're allowed to ask current players questions about daily life within the program without the coaches present.
After that, the campus tours took place in late morning with prospects and families having an opportunity to see the campus and the dorms.
A tour of the Long Family Football Ops building is next with a quick lunch and another split up for photoshoots, position meetings and a look at the Gamecocks' new weight room.
The afternoon also features an impressive presentation from head of nutrition Kristin Coggins, who is truly an asset for the program in what she provides. Last OV they even had an opportunity for the visitors to learn to cook a meal, which is a common activity in her program for current players.
I'll have more on their night time activities later tonight.
** One interesting note about four-star WR Dane Key that I wasn't aware of prior to recently.
Carolina OL coach Greg Adkins actually has some old ties to the family and was the very first coach to extend an offer to Key when Adkins was at Marshall.
So that's now Adkins and defensive coordinator Clayton White with ties to the family as White coached Key's older brother at Western Kentucky.
Ultimately Kentucky may still be tough to beat (his father played there), but there's a sense here that the Gamecocks may have a better shot than it may have seemed on the surface.
Key had never visited prior to this weekend, so that can go multiple ways, but considering the need at the position, the trust level with those on the staff, and the job Justin Stepp has done with him, if the visit blows him as way, there could be an opportunity here.
Obviously all of that depends on how the visit goes and what he's looking for, but wanted for yall to know some of the background here. Stay tuned...
----------
FRIDAY PM UPDATE:
For those who are new to this, the bulk of the updates will come on Sunday as the visits are wrapping up, but if we hear anything of note along the way - or if a visitor posts something noteworthy on social media - we'll post it on here.
I've got direct confirmation that almost all of the official visitors made it in with Dane Key and Trequon Fegans as the only two I haven't confirmed at this point - I have no reason at this point to think either didn't make it though.
Tonight's itinerary featured a reception and dinner at the Capital City Club with the entire staff and the recruits and their families featuring views of Columbia from above.
After the dinner, the recruits and their hosts split off to go get a feel for college life with the families spending more time with the staff in a more relaxing, laid back type of environment (TV, drinks, games, etc).
Saturday, which is when the bulk of the OV will take place, starts bright and early at 8 a.m.
----------
ORIGINAL PREVIEW:
The final weekend of June is here and Shane Beamer and Co. will close out the month with a mammoth recruiting weekend at the University of South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are scheduled to host 12 official visitors on campus, all of which are considered major targets for the program.
** The Gamecocks get their opportunity this weekend to make their case with Cumming (Ga.) West Forsyth four-star tight end Oscar Delp, ranked by Rivals as the No. 2 tight end in the country.
Delp, who is easily Carolina's top tight end target for the 2022 class, has been prioritized by tight ends coach Erik Kimrey from the moment he landed the job. Delp and his family, which has strong ties to the school and city, will get the complete Carolina experience this weekend as Carolina will look to show him exactly how much he is wanted in the program and how the Gamecocks plan to revolve their offense around him at the TE position.
This has been believed to be a South Carolina-Georgia battle. The Bulldogs might have a slight edge at this time, but the Gamecocks will take a huge swing this weekend.
** South Carolina is scheduled to host six four-star defensive backs this weekend as Trequon Fegans, Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove S Emory Floyd, Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot CB Chris Graves, Apopka (Fla.) CB Nikai Martinez, Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Josephs S Keenan Nelson and Miami (Fla.) Miami Central CB/S Anthony Rose will all be in town.
With three defensive backs already on the commit list, the numbers at the position are getting tight and this weekend should serve as a separating point for which of the prospects are most interested in Carolina and vice-versa.
We'll be looking in particular for Rose's reaction as the former commitment takes his official visit after having a great unofficial to campus earlier this month.
That visit not only went extremely well, and he looked great in both the testing and workout portion of camp, but Rose has even done some public recruiting in favor of South Carolina meaning he could potentially look to jump back on board.
We'll wait for the feedback from the other four DB prospects before determining where exactly things stand with them and the Gamecocks.
** Any time a prospect takes an unofficial visit and then quickly schedules an official, we take notice and that's the case with Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons three-star linebacker R. Mason Thomas.
Thomas took an unofficial visit last week when he worked out for the staff and turned in an impressive performance and then set up the OV.
The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder is listed as a defensive end on Rivals but is seen as a linebacker by the Gamecocks and it feels like the interest has picked up here on both sides.
Admittedly, we're projecting a little bit here based on circumstantial evidence, but we'll be keeping a close eye on Thomas right after due to the strong mutual interest here now.
** There seems to be similar circumstantial evidence with Middletown (Del.) three-star defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye, whose set to visit officially this weekend with his teammate and South Carolina quarterback commit Braden Davis.
Durojaiye has already taken a visit on a self-guided tour and there's certainly the pull of having his teammate set for a future in Columbia.
Davis took a long unofficial visit to South Carolina last week and gave it rave reviews after. He's completely locked in to being a Gamecock but will get the chance to learn more about the school while obviously putting on his recruiting hat to convince Durojaiye and others to join him in the class.
** Davis will no doubt have his eyes on recruiting Lexington (Ky.) Douglass four-star wide receiver Dane Key.
Receivers coach Justin Stepp has worked incredibly hard to get the Gamecocks in the mix with Key and will no doubt express to him the big need at the position.
Key, whose father played at Kentucky, was assumed to be a lock to the Wildcats but things have reportedly been hot and cold there at times during the process.
Oregon and former South Carolina wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon took their swing last weekend when Key has a really strong official visit to see the Ducks.
South Carolina takes its swing this weekend when he'll get his first real look at the program.
** Bradenton (Fla.) IMG four-star defensive tackle Nick James has said he will be committing on July 3, which may give the idea that he's made up his mind already, but the feedback we've received says that may not be the case and he's definitely open to South Carolina.
As of last check, the visit is still on and James is set to bring his family with him, which tends to indicate a prospect is serious about a school.
THE LIST:
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Delp was blown away by the visit, he said, loved everything about it, and left with higher expectations that he did coming in. He said he got a home feeling and that the way he was treated was "insane".
The coaching staff, Delp said, was great, and he had good talks with Beamer, Satterfield, and Kimrey. He said that he and Kimrey have a natural relationship and that it was hard to believe it was their first time being face to face.
As for how South Carolina's use of the tight ends, he said the way they use them is "crazy" at South Carolina and that he didn't realize it, even. He believes he could get the ball in his hands a lot at South Carolina.
Colten Gauthier was Delp's host, but he spent time with Luke Doty and Nick Muse as well. Muse told Delp about how tight end friendly the offense was, and that Delp is faster than him (haha!).
This was Delp's last official - he has one left if he wants, but he probably isn't taking it. For now, he's taking a step back and evaluating everything. Whenever the time is right, he'll pull the trigger. I one point it was possibly going to be on his mother's birthday on September 30 but now it could be sooner. He said he'll rely on a gut feel for what feels like home.
Top TE Oscar Delp 'blown away' on South Carolina official
Top Gamecocks' tight end target Oscar Delp's much-anticipated official visit to South Carolina was 'awesome.'
3:20 P.M. UPDATE - ANTHONY ROSE
Rose said part of his de-commitment was wanting to get his family up here to see the facility and meet the staff before committing. He got his grandfather up to campus for the official and that was the final thing he needed to do to pull the trigger. In the end of visit meeting with Beamer the coaches asked if he was going to come back and Rose pointed to his grandfather and said to ask him and that's when it became official.
Now, Rose puts on his recruiting hat and said he's going to try and work on getting Chris Graves and Nikai Martinez to commit.
Jaheim Bell was Rose's host and the two hit it off, from what he said.
Anthony Rose jumps back in Gamecocks class
After a brief hiatus, four-star defensive back Anthony Rose is back in South Carolina's recruiting class.
3:13 P.M. UPDATE - TREQUON FEGANS
Fegans said South Carolina "most definitely" gave themselves a shot this weekend to land his commitment. He was blown away by the facility and the family atmosphere. He said the facility might be the best he's seen during his visit spree. He's only taken an official to Miami and didn't rule out taking another in July but hasn't decided yet. He wants to make a decision before his senior season.
Sam Reynolds was his host and the message from him was about if he wanted to leave the state of Alabama for college to come to South Carolina. Torrian Gray also sat down to talk with him and showed some film.
STORY: https://southcarolina.rivals.com/ne...nitely-gave-themselves-a-shot-during-official
3:10 P.M. UPDATE - BRADEN DAVIS
Braden Davis said he had an awesome visit, that it was good to be around everyone again. He thought the weekend went well from a recruiting perspective and in terms of building relationships with other prospects.
Davis said he doesn't try to give any other prospects "fake stuff" when recruiting him, that he just points other prospects to the people, which is the reason he committed himself.
He hung around with Luke Doty and Marshawn Lloyd during the visit and that those three are close now. It wasn't about recruiting, just being "one of the guys" now.
Davis said he already feels like a Gamecock, that he kind of forgets that he's going back to Delaware to play a high school season.
He chatted with WR Dane Key and, of course, he knows Tomiwa Durojaiye quite well, being his teammate.
2:45 P.M. UPDATE - EMORY FLOYD
Floyd said that he really liked bonding with the team, and he said nothing was fake about the coaching staff.
Georgia native David Spaulding was Floyd's player host. Spaulding told him really good things about Torrian Gray as a defensive backs coach.
Gray told Floyd that he liked his length, speed, and his smarts as a defensive back.
Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina are in Floyd's top three, and he's been to all three for in-person visits.
He's looking to make a decision in August if possible, but said there's "no rush" in that regard.
GamecockScoop - Emory Floyd names Top 3 after South Carolina official
Exiting an official visit to South Carolina this weekend, Gamecocks make Top 3.
southcarolina.rivals.com
2:25 P.M. UPDATE - CHRIS GRAVES
We caught up with 4-star CB Chris Graves out of Florida, who said he spent a lot of time on the trip with ZaQuandre White, who's from his hometown.
Graves called South Carolina's facility "one of the best in college football" and, like the others, touted the family atmosphere in Columbia as something that really stood out to him.
Although Graves admitted he may take some more visits in the fall to see some games and game atmospheres, he has had a commitment date on the books of July 9. He said a top four is coming out on Friday and intimated South Carolina should be in there.
FULL STORY: https://southcarolina.n.rivals.com/...-highlights-gamecock-program-for-chris-graves
AFTERNOON UPDATES - KEENAN NELSON, NICK JAMES, NIKAI MARTINEZ
***Four-star cornerback Nikai Martinez finished things up and said he really enjoyed his time in Columbia. When asked what kind of impression South Carolina made this weekend, he said he can see what Shane Beamer is building and he's impressed with the program already.
Dominick Hill was his host, pairing Martinez with another Florida defensive back. The two have known each other for a while, even before Hill came to Columbia. Martinez met with South Carolina's coaches and talked about his role in the defense and how they can use him, mentioning they could play at nickel and as a boundary corner.
He loved the "family base" and said everyone was connected with "no bad blood." It's "just a good time being over there at the facility." He doesn't have any other visit lined up at the moment.
FULL STORY:
GamecockScoop - Four-star DB: Beamer to 'make a change' at South Carolina
This four-star DB from the Sunshine State was impressed with Shane Beamer during his weekend official visit.
southcarolina.n.rivals.com
*** Four-star defensive tackle Nick James (from Alabama, but plays at IMG Academy in Florida) was hosted on the trip by Jordan Burch. He felt they could get along well and had some similar traits.
He said the players and coaches in Columbia stood out and that he thought they were "going to build something very special" at South Carolina.
Another interesting thing that James discussed in our wrap-up talk with him, something that many prospects (especially from out of state) mention is the notion that the trip and what he saw at South Carolina was something he didn't expect.
"It made me think of them different," James said.
He talked a lot with Jimmy Lindsey during the trip and said he felt Lindsey could develop him as a player and a person.
James is scheduled to announce on July 3 and said this visit put the Gamecocks in the top three, that South Carolina would have a say. He also mentioned Ohio State, Florida, and Texas A&M.
FULL STORY: https://southcarolina.n.rivals.com/...vy-input-in-decision-for-james-after-official
*** Four-star defensive back Keenan Nelson said "everything" caught his attention during his official visit. The players, from his sense, really like the new coaching staff.
Darius Rush was Nelson's player host, and Torrian Gray and Shane Beamer likewise spent a lot of time with him.
Nelson has built a good relationship with Torrian Gray, and Nelson said that Gray has the background and proof that he knows what it takes to develop.
Only two officials have been taken so far for Nelson to Penn State and South Carolina. Nelson says he's going to talk to his parents when he gets home and that he's looking to make a decision sometime this summer. He's not looking to drag it out, it appears. No favorites - publicly - for Nelson at this time.
The Gamecock staff has told Nelson he has the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary -safety, nickel, or corner.
GamecockScoop - Four-star DB gets feel for new staff on OV
"They told me it was going to be a great atmosphere, a great town," Nelson said. "Around (Columbia), all they talk
southcarolina.rivals.com
SUNDAY NOON UPDATE (R MASON THOMAS)
R Mason Thomas, like many other prospects, said that "the people" caught his attention the most in Columbia during his official visit.
He spent time primarily with DC/LB coach Clayton White, plus defensive assistant Joe Bowen, who also works with the LBs on the team - plus Mike Peterson.
Reminder: Thomas is listed as a weakside DE on his Rivals profile but South Carolina is eyeing him as a versatile guy that can play WILL or MIKE LB or even grow into a rush end.
He did not previously know that South Carolina had the country's top-ranked international business school, which caught his eye. He believes that the team's facilities and resources can help him succeed, he said.
Thomas doesn't have any other trips planned at this time. Coastal Carolina and ECU are also trying to get him in for trips at some point. He's looking at making a decision early in July.
He measured in at 6-2, 217 during his trip.
STORY: https://southcarolina.rivals.com/news/r-mason-thomas-closing-in-on-possible-commit-date
SUNDAY MORNING 10 A.M. UPDATE:
The official visits will be wrapping up this morning/early afternoon and we'll do our best to get feedback from as many prospects as possible. We'll post some notes right here when we do.
Last night featured family photos on the field at Williams-Brice and dinner in The Zone before prospects split off with their hosts again.
This morning features breakfast at Colonial Life Arena followed by one final trip to the football ops building.
There the prospects will enjoy a presentation from Derrick Moore, some videos, and a final presentation from Shane Beamer then final meetings with Beamer and the assistant coaches.
Again, we'll post anything we get right here and look for stories to be posted on the front page and linked on TIF as well.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:
The feedback is typical but positive so far as things seem to be going well with all 12 official visitors this weekend.
As we've mentioned before, the majority of the OV takes place on Saturday, so it's a long but fun day for the prospects and their families.
The day started with an 8 a.m. wakeup for breakfast at the Dodie Academic Center shortly after that. The academic part of the visit is sort of combined with breakfast as professors join for the meal and the visitors learn about the "student" side of being a student athlete.
Shortly after that, the visitors and their families are split up for a player panel where they're allowed to ask current players questions about daily life within the program without the coaches present.
After that, the campus tours took place in late morning with prospects and families having an opportunity to see the campus and the dorms.
A tour of the Long Family Football Ops building is next with a quick lunch and another split up for photoshoots, position meetings and a look at the Gamecocks' new weight room.
The afternoon also features an impressive presentation from head of nutrition Kristin Coggins, who is truly an asset for the program in what she provides. Last OV they even had an opportunity for the visitors to learn to cook a meal, which is a common activity in her program for current players.
I'll have more on their night time activities later tonight.
** One interesting note about four-star WR Dane Key that I wasn't aware of prior to recently.
Carolina OL coach Greg Adkins actually has some old ties to the family and was the very first coach to extend an offer to Key when Adkins was at Marshall.
So that's now Adkins and defensive coordinator Clayton White with ties to the family as White coached Key's older brother at Western Kentucky.
Ultimately Kentucky may still be tough to beat (his father played there), but there's a sense here that the Gamecocks may have a better shot than it may have seemed on the surface.
Key had never visited prior to this weekend, so that can go multiple ways, but considering the need at the position, the trust level with those on the staff, and the job Justin Stepp has done with him, if the visit blows him as way, there could be an opportunity here.
Obviously all of that depends on how the visit goes and what he's looking for, but wanted for yall to know some of the background here. Stay tuned...
----------
FRIDAY PM UPDATE:
For those who are new to this, the bulk of the updates will come on Sunday as the visits are wrapping up, but if we hear anything of note along the way - or if a visitor posts something noteworthy on social media - we'll post it on here.
I've got direct confirmation that almost all of the official visitors made it in with Dane Key and Trequon Fegans as the only two I haven't confirmed at this point - I have no reason at this point to think either didn't make it though.
Tonight's itinerary featured a reception and dinner at the Capital City Club with the entire staff and the recruits and their families featuring views of Columbia from above.
After the dinner, the recruits and their hosts split off to go get a feel for college life with the families spending more time with the staff in a more relaxing, laid back type of environment (TV, drinks, games, etc).
Saturday, which is when the bulk of the OV will take place, starts bright and early at 8 a.m.
----------
ORIGINAL PREVIEW:
The final weekend of June is here and Shane Beamer and Co. will close out the month with a mammoth recruiting weekend at the University of South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are scheduled to host 12 official visitors on campus, all of which are considered major targets for the program.
** The Gamecocks get their opportunity this weekend to make their case with Cumming (Ga.) West Forsyth four-star tight end Oscar Delp, ranked by Rivals as the No. 2 tight end in the country.
Delp, who is easily Carolina's top tight end target for the 2022 class, has been prioritized by tight ends coach Erik Kimrey from the moment he landed the job. Delp and his family, which has strong ties to the school and city, will get the complete Carolina experience this weekend as Carolina will look to show him exactly how much he is wanted in the program and how the Gamecocks plan to revolve their offense around him at the TE position.
This has been believed to be a South Carolina-Georgia battle. The Bulldogs might have a slight edge at this time, but the Gamecocks will take a huge swing this weekend.
** South Carolina is scheduled to host six four-star defensive backs this weekend as Trequon Fegans, Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove S Emory Floyd, Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot CB Chris Graves, Apopka (Fla.) CB Nikai Martinez, Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Josephs S Keenan Nelson and Miami (Fla.) Miami Central CB/S Anthony Rose will all be in town.
With three defensive backs already on the commit list, the numbers at the position are getting tight and this weekend should serve as a separating point for which of the prospects are most interested in Carolina and vice-versa.
We'll be looking in particular for Rose's reaction as the former commitment takes his official visit after having a great unofficial to campus earlier this month.
That visit not only went extremely well, and he looked great in both the testing and workout portion of camp, but Rose has even done some public recruiting in favor of South Carolina meaning he could potentially look to jump back on board.
We'll wait for the feedback from the other four DB prospects before determining where exactly things stand with them and the Gamecocks.
** Any time a prospect takes an unofficial visit and then quickly schedules an official, we take notice and that's the case with Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons three-star linebacker R. Mason Thomas.
Thomas took an unofficial visit last week when he worked out for the staff and turned in an impressive performance and then set up the OV.
The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder is listed as a defensive end on Rivals but is seen as a linebacker by the Gamecocks and it feels like the interest has picked up here on both sides.
Admittedly, we're projecting a little bit here based on circumstantial evidence, but we'll be keeping a close eye on Thomas right after due to the strong mutual interest here now.
** There seems to be similar circumstantial evidence with Middletown (Del.) three-star defensive end Tomiwa Durojaiye, whose set to visit officially this weekend with his teammate and South Carolina quarterback commit Braden Davis.
Durojaiye has already taken a visit on a self-guided tour and there's certainly the pull of having his teammate set for a future in Columbia.
Davis took a long unofficial visit to South Carolina last week and gave it rave reviews after. He's completely locked in to being a Gamecock but will get the chance to learn more about the school while obviously putting on his recruiting hat to convince Durojaiye and others to join him in the class.
** Davis will no doubt have his eyes on recruiting Lexington (Ky.) Douglass four-star wide receiver Dane Key.
Receivers coach Justin Stepp has worked incredibly hard to get the Gamecocks in the mix with Key and will no doubt express to him the big need at the position.
Key, whose father played at Kentucky, was assumed to be a lock to the Wildcats but things have reportedly been hot and cold there at times during the process.
Oregon and former South Carolina wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon took their swing last weekend when Key has a really strong official visit to see the Ducks.
South Carolina takes its swing this weekend when he'll get his first real look at the program.
** Bradenton (Fla.) IMG four-star defensive tackle Nick James has said he will be committing on July 3, which may give the idea that he's made up his mind already, but the feedback we've received says that may not be the case and he's definitely open to South Carolina.
As of last check, the visit is still on and James is set to bring his family with him, which tends to indicate a prospect is serious about a school.
THE LIST:
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Carolina Confidential - Pres. by Herring Insurance - Sunday notes
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** June, of course, brought one of the busiest months in college football recruiting history. July, which features a recruiting dead period for most of the month, has offered an opportunity for coaches and recruiting staffs to take one last vacation before the grind of the season hits in August.
But there's one last recruiting period for coaches around the country to push through. July 25-July 31 offers one last non-dead period for prospects to take visits and many top players around the country will take advantage.
South Carolina will cap off its summer recruiting with a cookout event on July 31 that will feature some commits and some top targets.
** Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Oceanside Collegiate class of 2023 four-star OL Monroe Freeling was one of the most impressive prospects we saw come through the Shane Breamer Camp circuit last month - I mean really, really impressive and almost certainly undervalued as a low four-star prospect.
We were relayed that one observer who has been around football for a long time thought he was one of the best looking underclassman offensive linemen that this person has ever seen.
The Gamecocks were a mere afterthought with the 6-foot-7, 274-pound prospect until that camp visit took place. Now, he's at least opened his mind to seeing more of what South Carolina has to offer under Beamer.
Clemson, Notre Dame and North Carolina have been the programs to watch for Freeling but the Gamecocks are trying to work their way into the mix and will get another chance to keep building that relationship when he visits for the cookout.
Relationships are important to Freeling and he's not one to get too caught up in the glitz and glamour of the process. The NCAA limits the amount of contact for underclassmen until they start their junior year, so as that changes, and as the Gamecocks get him back on campus, there's an opportunity for Greg Adkins and staff to continue to build those all-important relationships with him.
** If you missed it, we had the latest on Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork class of 2022 four-star WR Antonio Williams on Wednesday with the headline being that he's now set official visits to South Carolina and Ole Miss.
An additional note here: Williams' step-dad, Murphy Holloway, also told Phil Kornblut that Williams would make the short trip over from Irmo to USC for the Gamecocks' cookout.
As has started to become clear, Williams doesn't really enjoy everything that comes along with the recruiting process, so if he does indeed make that trip, it's another key opportunity for South Carolina to keep helping Williams become more and more comfortable with the program.
Again, we'd expect a more laid back atmosphere than your typical recruiting event and that should go a long way here.
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