JOINT EFFORT HERE BY ME AND CHRIS CLARK:

South Carolina added to its 2022 recruiting class once again with the addition of offensive lineman Cason Henry out of Marietta (Georgia) Walton, who committed to Shane Beamer and Co. on Friday night and went public on Saturday afternoon - indeed he was the #WelcomeHome that Beamer Tweeted out Friday night.

The courtship of this 6-foot-6, 299-pounder was swift, with the Gamecock staff dispensing an offer late in the month of May.

Like so many fellow prospects, Henry took a slate of visits during the month of June: Florida, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, NC State, and North Carolina all drew trips throughout the month, with South Carolina’s at-bat coming on Thursday.

As it turns out, both parties were very comfortable with one another after that unofficial visit. Offensive line coach Greg Adkins came into this week with one offensive lineman committed in the form of Grayson Mains, and the Gamecocks obviously want to add Pennsylvania four-star Ryan Brubaker to the fold as well.

Aside from those two, if the Gamecocks could land Brubaker, there’s been room in the class for other offensive line prospects only if the right ones came along; Adkins deemed Henry as fitting that bill and being too good to turn down.

Speaking of Mains, he was actually instrumental in helping push the Gamecocks over the top with Henry as the two play right down the road from each other and have gotten to know each other while competing at the same camps. Henry loved what he saw on his visit but turned to Mains for guidance as the Gamecock commit confirmed that he had all the same feelings about Adkins and the program.

In the end, I believe it was that connection that Adkins and Henry have - and their similar dispositions - that led the Gamecocks to be being the pick here.

Henry has a tackle type frame, and plays tackle at the high school level. He has a nice frame and plays with a physical disposition at the high school level, giving him a nice upside up front for the Gamecocks.

What does South Carolina like about Henry?

Henry told us that he and Adkins just clicked and that feeling is mutual from Adkins' side. The Gamecocks are getting a big, physically offensive lineman who profiles as a tackle right now but essentially is capable of playing any of the five spots on the line.

Henry is an intelligent, thoughtful kid off the field but plays mean and physical on the field, showing a penchant for finishing his blocks all the way and letting his opponents know about it. He's a toughnosed kid that also has the measurables needed to play in this league. Back off the field, he wants to become a doctor.

Yall will love his approach to the game, in his own words: "I think my philosophy for football is, I want to make the other guy quit the sport," Henry said. "I'm not dirty. I don't hold. I don't believe in holding or all that dirty (stuff). I just want to beat someone 1-on-1, fair and square and show that I'm better than them. I want them to know that they are outmatched and I want them to know that they will not win against me and that there's nothing that they can do and that they will never catch up to me and they will never beat me in anything. That's how I play. I just want to get someone on their (tail) every single play. I just play mean."

With Mains and now Henry in the fold, the Gamecocks will look add Brubaker to that list next, and I believe their chances of doing that are increasing by the day.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

We ain't dead yet

Who recently visited Carolina committed to Texas AM according to the Baton Rouge Advocate this morning.

Just recently started listening to True Crime podcasts as a way to pass time in the car.

So far I've finished "Tom Brown's Body" and "The Orange Tree". Was really captivated by "The Orange Tree", because it threw me for a loop around episode 5.

For the other true crime fans, any suggestions on some you have enjoyed?

I'm not a star chaser. I am a big believer that evals matter a ton, Melvin Ingram convinced me of that when I was a student. Let's not argue about talent level. I'm talking more about optics from outsiders....for public perception class rankings matter. ESPN coverage etc refers to rankings in preseason hype and all that.

Right now we've got Rose who rivals lists as a 4 star. The rest are 3 stars and then Hortonis unranked. If we can land James, Brubaker and Nelson (all 4*s), that will go a long way for us perception wise. Do we expect any other highly ranked guys to hop on board or should any of our guys get a bump up in the fall (thinking of Braden Davis or Horton?)

As of right now, I feel confident in us getting Felix Hixon, R. Mason Thomas, Ryan Brubaker, Oscar Delp and Nick Emmanwori. What say you guys?

Miss St had bases loaded with no outs in the 6th after scoring 1 to tie the game, and didn’t score.

Welcome to another edition of Gamecock Central Braves Baseball ⚾️ Chat 💬. I am your host @Pfunk Cock along with a plethora of regular participants in the chat. After a tough news day on the injury front the Braves suffered miserably on offense as they kept letting Castillo off the hook and he found his groove. Anderson pitched well after a shaky start but early difficulties with the strike zone elevated his pitch count and he left after 6 innings. The Braves will throw Kyle Muller today on his second start of the season. He is a big dude and an imposing figure on the hill. Hopefully he can bring the heat and some consistency to the rotation.
First Pitch 1:10 EST

Broadcasting
Bally Sports South East

Starting Lineup
Acuna RF
Freeman 1B
Albies 2B
Riley 3B
Swanson ss
Almonte LF
Heredia CF
Smith C
Muller LHP

Gamecocks Central Braves Baseball Chat is on the 🕸

Welcome to another edition of Gamecock Central Braves Baseball ⚾️ Chat 💬. I am your host @Pfunk Cock along with a plethora of regular participants in the chat. I was notified by @SirSpur12216 of the tragic news 📰 about another injury. My heart sank for the young man as Mike Soroka re-tore his Achilles today while walking to the clubhouse at Truist Park.


🙏🏿 for the mental and physical well-being of Mike as he has to recline that mountain 🏔 once again Sisyphus reference 😎😎 I be smart 😂😂😂. Now to business
The Braves had a very good all around game last night. That was a team game as players pitched in doing various things as making spectacular stops on the infield and incredible catches in the outfield. Contreras looked excellent behind the dish and Smyly seems to have turned the corner with his fourth straight quality start. Today we have Ian Anderson rhp pitching. He has had difficulty finding his groove at the start of games. I was truly baffled until it dawned on me that he only saw a few ballparks last season and really not a huge crowd so he is really going through his Rookie experience for the first time and he will gradually find his groove as long as he does not frustrate himself. If he is throwing strikes early I like our chances. The Reds are throwing Luis Castillo . He has not been effective this season and hopefully that trend continues.
A little shakeup of the lineup today as Almonte gets the day off and Inciarte getting a run.

Warly game 4:10 First Pitch
Broadcasting
Bally Sports South East
Fox 🦊

Starting Lineup
Acuna RF
Freeman 1B
Albies 2B
Riley 3B
Swanson ss
Heredia RF
Contreras C
Inciarte CF
Anderson rhp

Gamecock Central Braves Baseball Chat is on the 🕸

in a vast wasteland of gosh awful television on Sundays....well other than for pro football i guess....but ES offered the best talent of the time, often live, if they had the cajones...there was a time the nation sorta gathered round for such as this Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media GOT TO BE ROSE !!!!

“I haven’t met coaches anywhere else that I clicked so well with,” Henry said. “Coach Beamer was the most approachable head coach that I’ve ever talked to. He struck me as a normal guy who is also a head coach. I went to Georgia, and Kirby Smart is like unapproachable. And Mike Leach (Mississippi State) is unapproachable. I feel like I can talk to Coach Beamer on a level of a normal human being while also respecting him as a head coach, which is a very unique blend I haven’t found anywhere else.”

When does this kid arrive on campus? He gets to play this year, correct? Sorry in advance if this has been covered. Just getting back from vacation and it looks like I missed a lot over the weekend.

I know he hasn't coached a game yet and I also know coaching hires are based on results. But you cannot down this staff for working their tails off and bringing an energetic family atmosphere to this program. If we win 5-6 games this year that would be a solid building block for this staff. Honestly I think we win a few we won't be picked to win and end up with 7 wins and a bowl game. This staff is off and running recruiting wise and we are seeing it pay off. We aren't getting the big flashy names but we are getting some good solid kids who work hard and want to be here. That is huge in my book. I am excited to where this program is headed under Beamer. I am excited to see the team we field at the start of the year. There are going to be some bumps along the way. That is expected. Once these guys taste success the sky is the limit! September cannot get here fast enough!

I would guess Ashyln Watkins. Just guessing.

Login to view embedded media
Nothing official yet but obviously one would think this is four-star DB Anthony Rose, who we felt coming in wanted to re-join the class.

Nothing from Rose yet, though.