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Wes Mitchell
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** As the 2019 class comes to a close, the potential nucleus of the Gamecocks' 2020 class is already starting to come into focus.
Before we get to that, Chris mentioned to you Tuesday South Carolina's most likely finish to the 2019 class - William Rogers, Jammie Robinson and Jaquaze Sorrells - and since then Rogers has gone public with a pledge to the Gamecocks. I have long-standing Forecasts with the Gamecocks in the system for Robinson and Sorrells and based on our current info, I don't foresee myself changing those. I have changed my prediction for cornerback Dequanteous Watts from South Carolina to Louisville.
Moving along to the 2020 class, it's coming in fast and furious with an increasingly sped up recruiting calendar and the Gamecocks hosting top targets on campus for junior days at their new football ops center the last two weekends (and another one set for this weekend).
With four commits already in the class and multiple other prospects potentially on the verge, it will be interesting to see how much of this class is in place by the summer. But get ready, my friends, because this is the new norm in college football and early pledges are only going to become more commonplace. The new football ops building has offered the staff a great new showpiece to recruit to and it's been a common topic of conversation among the prospects we've talked to as Carolina seems to be building some early momentum on the recruiting trail.
It's also going to be important to remember that as the recruiting coverage industry tries to catch up with the faster recruiting process, there will probably continue to be prospects that the Gamecocks move in on or land who aren't as well known at the time but who will likely see their ratings go up as they're further evaluated (like Da'Qon Stewart, for example). I'm not throwing y'all the blind "trust the staff" phrase either, but if you want your staff to be first on a kid and get the jump on his recruitment, then by the very definition he's not going to have an extensive offer list yet.
** Based on feedback, we've received since the junior day events, I have placed South Carolina Forecasts with the following prospects:
RB Tank Bigsby - South Carolina has quietly been in pretty strong position here for some time with an overnight visit that went very well towards the end of the season and another this past weekend. Credit Bobby Bentley who has gone a great job laying the foundation with both Bigsby and his family. The addition of Thomas Brown helps here as well. The fact that Bigsby is talking about taking yet another visit to Columbia and just next month is a strong sign in my experience.
LB Desmond Tisdol - As I said in another post, don't let the lack of an offer list fool you here. This kid is good and a great fit for the program and offers will come. Purdue stepped in Tuesday night but I'd expect plenty of others. Carolina has the edge right now and Tisdol could be done within the next couple of weeks.
TE John Copenhaver - Copenhaver didn't give a whole lot away in his interview nor give a direct commitment timetable but there's reason to feel good about where Carolina stands right now.
WR Ze'Vian Capers - It's no secret here that Clemson going national at the receiver position can be South Carolina's gain as Capers would be a strong pickup. He was a priority target for Clemson for nearly a year before they decided to go in a different direction. Capers impressed Carolina at camp this summer and he's someone the Gamecocks want. Capers also has family in multiple parts of South Carolina. He's eyeing March as a potential decision time frame.
** Those Forecasts are joined by previously placed Forecasts for South Carolina with:
DT Alex Huntley - Huntley was back at USC for the junior day two weekends ago after taking in multiple games during the season. Auburn is the latest program to offer.
DT Tonka Hemingway - Hemingway is set to be back on South Carolina's campus soon and multiple contacts have pegged the Gamecocks as the favorite here in the last month or so. New defensive line coach John Scott Jr. was at Hemingway's basketball game last week.
** South Carolina, of course, already has pledges from four prospects and here's some of the latest news and notes on each:
QB Luke Doty - Doty has taken the reins as the leader of South Carolina's class and is now doing all he can to work other prospects to join him in Columbia. The Tweet Doty put out with Jordan Burch and Huntley to recruit Hemingway is the tip of the iceberg. He's done a lot of work behind the scenes, following in the footsteps of quarterback Ryan Hilinski.
OL Tyshawn Wannamaker - I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing Wannamaker compete at Rivals camp this spring because I'm told he's continued to reshape his body and looks better physically every time he's on campus. Wannamaker is 6-foot-4 and now checks in at a very strong 310 pounds. He's been listed as a guard but tackle may actually not be completely out of the question either. Chris watched him play basketball last week and he moves his feet well for a big man.
OL Issiah Walker - Walker was back on campus for the first junior day of January and that was a big trip considering Florida has continued to push. He seems to have bought into the South Carolina program, though. Super athletic kid with a ton of upside - perfect type of prospect that Eric Wolford seeks after.
WR Da'Qon Stewart - The more I've learned about Stewart, the more I like the pickup. He's a playmaker with great ball skills. The fact that he's a standout on the basketball court is a major bonus in my eyes. The skillset there tends to translate well to the football field.
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