I just thought you guys would get a kick out of this picture.

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It's been sort of tough to track down every name that could be here this weekend because many of them were late additions, and like everything else the last 3 weeks, there's been a little chaos involved. That said, we have a pretty good idea of most of the visitor's in town this weekend and thought we'd give everyone a quick heads-up. For this list I'm including folks that came into town yesterday, today, and throughout the weekend.

Official Visitors

We had already mentioned 4 official visitors earlier in the week, but two of those it would seem aren't happening as far as we can tell: JUCO RB Robert Henry doesn't seem to be coming, and ATH Aziah Johnson just announced his commitment to Michigan State on Wednesday and appears to be shutting down his recruitment.

In addition to the aforementioned WR Tyshawn Russell and Virginia LB Commit Kamren Robinson

TE Trey Knox (Arkansas transfer)
TE Shamar Easter (Arkansas commit)
TE Reid Mikeska (Miami commit)
DL Xzavier McLeod ( Gamecock commit)
ATH/TE Kamron Sandlin (Gamecock commit)
TE Nick Elksnis (Florida transfer)
RB Dominic Richardson (Ok. St. Transfer)


Unofficial Visitors

This list is not inclusive, mostly because I know some of the kids are wanting to make it a surprise according to Dante Reno, but here are some names I can share:

2023 JUCO DL Elijah Davis
2024 QB Commit Dante Reno
2024 WR Mazeo Bennett
2024 OL Josiah Thompson
2024 OL Kam Pringle
2024 LB Wendell Gregory
2024 TE Michael Smith

looks like going to be a difficult evening.

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With just over a week to go before the early signing period, the Gamecocks are attempting to flip several candidates and hold onto their class.

Tosin, affectionately known as “Big Tree” was close with recent portal addition MarShawn Lloyd. Today he tweeted that he needed some more time to think things over.

We will keep you posted on any other developments here. I will say when he first committed, he took some extra convincing that weekend, but then he seemed pretty solid after that.

This isn't from any lack of effort by the staff, they literally pulled out the big guns and all visited him just a couple of days ago.

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My guess is Lloyd’s departure definitely got him thinking a bit. In a tweet referencing Lloyd just a few days ago Babalade said simply, “ahh man”

I will say, the staff had planned to get him on campus this weekend, I'm working to see if that's still happening. I'm also working to see if this is a truly "let's think on it" moment, or if he's done considering South Carolina.

Some quick notes from the 30 minutes of open practice today and what I saw in terms of who was there and wasn't. Keep in mind the rest of the practice was closed, so we don't know what might have happened after that or who might have been there. No speculation, just reporting the names:

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We’ll have some live updates from the Rushmore state.

Updates as the Gamecocks head to Birmingham to take on the Blazers.

@Alan Cole on the scene.

Being reported. I’m really sad about this one. I really wanted him here when Miss State got him. I’ll miss this guy. College football will as well.

There's no reason for us to feild female sports teams now. It's nothing but a waste of money without a return. That's money we can use for NIL deals for football or basketball players. We are a Minor league program now. We finished strong in football. And Are better players have showed, that don't mean anything when it comes to money.

Hey y'all, hope everyone is doing well. I wrote my thoughts on the Loggains hire, with quotes from Beamer today at the presser included. I think it can work, but I also think he created a real schism point for himself. What does everyone else think?

More:

I didnt realize Shaw played for Dowell in Chicago and Cleveland. Shaw endorses him, says USC just got better. Id imagine Beamer spoke w Shaw about how Dowell was to play for. This combined w his rep as a great recruiter = that’s enough for me. I was skeptical about the hire but no more, lets just see how it works out. He can recruit, and out best QB ever played for him and said we are better as a result of hiring him. Now lets just find a way to stop this NIL/portal chaos


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Anybody keeping up with the human rights violations, the reported 1200 workers who have died, the $10 billion dollars spent on stadiums, and other happenings in Qatar’s preparation for the World Cup?

Wonder what they’ll use those stadiums for once the event is over?

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I'm sure you've seen some programs have a fixed stipend for everyone in their program. Seems like this would open the door for that.

The temperature today in Knoxville will be a high of 63 and a low of 38. Currently where I reside at the temperature will not fluctuate with a high of 31 and a low of 30.

We are recording live on YouTube. Feel free to come in and leave a comment.
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SOUTH CAROLINA’S COLUMBIA BOWL PRACTICE SCHEDULE AND MEDIA AVAILABILITIES

Thursday, Dec. 15
4:15 pm – Practice – Open to media from 4:15 – 4:45 pm.
Media should gather by the gate between the Long Family Football Operations Building and the Spurrier Indoor Facility and will be escorted into practice.

Friday, Dec. 16
4 pm – Practice – Closed

Saturday, Dec. 17
Noon – Practice – Closed

Sunday, Dec. 18
5 pm – Practice – Closed

Monday, Dec. 19
No practice – No media availability
10 am – Deadline to request players for Tuesday’s media availability

Tuesday, Dec. 20
11:50 am – Practice – Closed
1:30 pm (time approximate) – Requested and approved players available in the media room at the Long Family Football Operations Center. Media door will open at 1 pm.

Wednesday, Dec. 21
11:40 am – Practice – Closed
3 pm – National Letter of Intent Signing Day Press Conference in the media room at the Long Family Football Operations Center. Media door will open at 2:30 pm.

Thursday, Dec. 22
9:50 am – Practice – Closed
Noon – Defensive Coordinator Clayton White and Special Teams Coordinator Pete Lembo press conference in the media room at the Long Family Football Operations Center. Media door will open at 11:30 am.

Friday, Dec. 23
Team Off Day

Saturday, Dec. 24
Team Off Day

Sunday, Dec. 25
Travel to Jacksonville, arriving by 6 pm

Personally, not a fan of it, never was and really don't see how I ever could be.

The Portal, N.I.L and the CFP have ended what I loved about the college game. BUT, many love it and see it has the best chance to reach respectability.

I’m ALL IN with this OC hire. It took a minute. So many #notadimers showed up to jump the shark - but after doing a quick spin around the WWW . There’s enough good info to believe this guy can get it done.

To quote Kai Kroger “All we got is all we need!”🤙

Let’s Go —-

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He’ll join Zacch Pickens in Mobile, AL.