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Beamer has adopted Staley's commitment announcement format. I like that!

Dawn Staley is a master of making her new additions feel special. I completely agree that new commitments be allowed to spread out over a few weeks to showcase each one. The old way of announcing several at once dilutes the effect. Its better to add a newbie every week or two. It also puts pressure on those on the fence

Tanner, Facilities, and New Indoor Tennis

I am someone who normally does not get the animosity directed at Ray Tanner but in this case some one has dropped the ball. I live in North Carolina so I am often out of the loop. I try my best to keep up with everything about Gamecock athletics. I was surprised to learn we were building a new indoor tennis facility. Trying to look up details, I found practically nothing. I was even more surprised to see four pictures on twitter of the building almost complete. Yet I could not even find out were the building is located.

Is it just me. Was it widely publicized and i missed it. Might be a small deal but it goes to a larger problem in the ad department. Whether you like our former AD Hyman or not. He was able to successfully run a new facilities improvement plan. His master plan was widely publicized and generated massive interest. It set fund raising goals and sat bench marks that helped us shape our athletic campus foot print. Recent captial projects (outside football projects) done under Tanner have not come close to being as widely publicized. Maybe its just me.

*** Shane Beamer Football Camp Insider - Day 9

*** Day 9 of Shane Beamer Football Camp is in the books, and today's sessions featured another team passing camp as well as an OL/DL specific camp, which took place at Williams-Brice Stadium.

- A large group of prospects from the Tampa area was on hand, and although none worked out, there were some names of interest among the bunch.

A few GamecockCentral.com spotted included four-star cornerback Elliot Washington from the 2023 class, big defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas, and athlete Amari Niblack.

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- Several in-state prospects that our subscribers will be familiar with participated in the 7-on-7 tournament over at the indoor facility/practice fields.

Upstate speedster Jayden McGowan's Laurens team was in town, and he was seen afterwards chatting it up with Gamecock wide receivers coach Justin Stepp. McGowan ran a 40-yard dash time in the 4.3s in Columbia earlier this summer, and the staff got another look at McGowan, who's still not quite 100 percent with his hamstring, on Thursday.

McGowan gutted it out by participating in the event while not at 100 percent and received positive feedback from Justin Stepp, but will try to earn an offer at a later date when he can run routes for the staff at 100 percent.

Mauldin was another team participant, meaning that 4-star corner Jeadyn Lukus and linebacker/safety Deuce Caldwell were both on the field in Columbia. We saw a bit more of Caldwell, as Lukus was not participating during the playoff portion of the camp in the aferrnoon.

Caldwell, who appears to be a heavy UNC lean, made several plays during the day. As for Lukus, Clemson and North Carolina are the biggest factors, with South Carolina not having been granted to the chance to have a swing under a new staff in the form of a visit to date.

- Gaffney's Grayson Loftis out of the 2023 class - who recently picked up offers from Kentucky and West Virginia - threw it around for the Indians and showed some quality arm talent at times during the event.

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Greenville's Prometheus Franklin, after putting on a nice performance during a camp earlier this month, was back on campus hanging out and getting more face time with coaches on Thrusday.

- Back at the stadium, offensive line coach Greg Adkins seemed to have his eye on a few prospects who were working out under his watch.

2023 center Avery Ferris out of Auburn, Alabama was one, and 2022 in-state prospect Peyton Pitts was also a physically impressive guy out of the box, leaving many at the camp wondering how he doesn't have more going for him in terms of interest.

- The star of the day on the offensive line was Dillon's Josiah Thompson from the 2024 class. With his height, frame (he checked in at 301 pounds, although he doesn't even look it), and ability to move his feet, this is a no-brainer top priority for the Gamecocks.

With his parents watching from the stands, Thompson impressed the staff. It's hard to believe he's 14 years old.

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Thompson had several battles with one of South Carolina's newest offers, that being Virginia's D'Andre Martin. With an age and strength advantage, Martin won every rep we saw on the day, although Thompson acquitted himself well given all factors.

Martin's recruiting profile has picked up a good bit as of late, and the Gamecocks joined in after seeing his performance. His size - looks like someone who will play on the interior- is quite intriguing.

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- An athlete out of North Carolina who can play receiver or defensive back named Chris Culliver?

No, not the one from the 2007 class who was a five-star and inked with the Gamecocks.

This is another of the same name, albeit one who also now carries an offer from the staff after his performance in the 7-on-7 on Thursday. Culliver received plenty of attention from multiple staff members prior to his Maiden team departing Columbia.

This Culliver's also related to the other, as the two are cousins on his father's side.

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P5 Baseball Head Coach Compensation Breakdown - Good Read

Interesting read on NCAA baseball head coaches compensation.

Some nice details about how typical packages are structured.

Looks like Kingston is currently 9th in the SEC.

That compensation seems fair. And, I suspect he’ll drop to 10th after Vitello gets a bump.

I think his extension with no raise was a good decision.

Mackie Prickett

Don't know whether this has been posted and I missed - but just in case - saw where
former Gamecock QB and USC Athletic Hall of Fame member - Mackie Prickett from
Elloree passed away a few days ago. Mr. Prickett was a QB in the early to mid-50's
for Carolina, and was the starting QB for the Gray team in the annual Blue-Gray game,
in 1956.

He is actually even a little before my time - but recalled the name and Gamecock greats
are Gamecock greats. Had a successful career as a pharmacist and thoroughbred horse breeder.

least favorite SEC football programs

for me its LSU, Florida, and Tennessee. LSU and the Vols are scandal ridden teams but the very weak NCAA will treat them with gloves on. Coach O will get at least 2 more years but he better win at least 9 games this season but I dont see that happening. Mullen is an idiot as i would pull for Iran against the gators in any sport. Gators are the UNC of the SEC in that they think they are just better than anybody else.

The Little Things

We may not win a ton of games this year - but I really like our approach to doing a lot
of little things right:

- Trey Adkins scholarship and subsequent appearance on Fox and Friends with Coach Beamer;

- Derrick Moore role and his getting Megatron ( Calvin Johnson) in for visit yesterday and to speak
to team. Pretty cool that D. Moore will introduce him at the HOF ceremonies in August.

Small steps to getting back to where we were.
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