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Wes Mitchell
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING SCOOP:
For recruiting news from the Atlanta RCS check out this post. I'm going to focus on observations and evaluations below...
** It was easy to see why former South Carolina commit and upcoming official visitor Javion Cohen took home the offensive line MVP award. First of all, Cohen simply looks the part. If you were going to draw up an Eric Wolford offensive line target, Cohen would be it. Long, athletic, extremely agile, Cohen doesn't have much baby fat anymore and he was easily one of the most impressive linemen there off the hoof. In some ways, he looks sort of like former Fort Dorchester and current Clemson OL John Simpson or that was who came to my mind when I saw him at least.
At one point I watched Cohen sprint back to the OL huddle after grabbing some water and was blown away at how effortlessly he moved so fast at that size. Cohen had several memorable battles with five-star DE Myles Murphy (the Georgia version) with each prospect winning his share. But the point is, Murphy is a bonafide five-star guy and Cohen went toe-to-toe with him in a setting that, in general, favors the defensive end.
I think we'll know a lot more about what direction Cohen's recruitment is headed after this weekend, but I can see why Wofford offered and made him a priority and has kept pushing after the decommitment. This weekend will go a long way in determining if the comfort level he has at South Carolina can outweigh the love he's had for Auburn growing up.
** Another one of the more impressive prospects on hand was three-star Arkansas wide receiver commit Ze'Vian Capers, who is set to officially visit South Carolina this weekend. After Capers measured in at 6-foot-4, 195-pounds and ran a laser-timed 4.57 40-yard-dash with a 34.8-inch vertical and 4.44-second shuttle at Atlanta Opening Camp, I was looking forward to seeing him compete at Rivals on Friday.
Capers was edged out by four-star Alabama wide receiver commit Javon Baker for the wide receiver MVP award, but it was another impressive day for Capers nonetheless after he also reportedly impressed at The Opening.
A big-bodied receiver who loves to compete (he took a ton of reps), I like the way Capers moves in and out of his breaks for a receiver his size and he does a good job of using his body to wall off defenders and pluck the football out of the air. Capers, a high three-star now, will likely move up in the next round of rankings.
** South Carolina running back target Jahmyr Gibbs may be hurt somewhat by his size, but after seeing him in person, it's not like the 5-foot-11, 187-pounder is small by any means. He's got a lot of muscle on his frame and is bigger than I expected coming in, he's just not the size of an SEC bruising running back.
I was told by someone close to Gibbs that most teams are talking to him about being a do-it-all player who can line up in the backfield, in the slot and on special teams, and that makes a lot of sense. Gibbs is quick in and out of his cuts and a matchup nightmare with great feet. Think in the terms of Bruce Ellington as a receiver or Andre Ellington has a back as far as skillsets go I think.
Most of you already know how I feel about Gibbs as a player and I think he's someone you find room for on the roster.
** Cochran (Ga.) Bleckley County class of 2021 offensive tackle Amarius Mims has been considered a Georgia-South Carolina battle early on. There was no way to miss Mims, who took in a Carolina junior day earlier this year, on Friday as he was the biggest offensive lineman in attendance at 6-foot-7, 300-pounds.
Mims is still a bit raw as a player, but carries that 300 pounds well with his huge frame and won his share of reps at the event. The consensus here is that Georgia will be tough to beat, but it's early, and the Gamecocks are in the conversation.
** Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue Christian class of 2021 quarterback
Brock Vandagriff was the best quarterback out of a really good group of throwers. Vandagriff has it all - arm strength, accuracy, touch, leadership, and a good head on his shoulders. He's a potential five-star guy down the road once those rankings are out for his class. South Carolina has offered Vandagriff and he visited for a spring practice - a trip he gave high marks - but it appears schools like Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma may have the edge right now.
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Today’s Carolina Confidential is brought to you by Herring Insurance Services. Call, email, or PM Gamecock Central member Brent Herring today to discuss your home and auto insurance needs.
Located in Lexington but serving all of the Carolinas
803-356-0763
Brent@BrentHerring.com
@BHerring06
---------------
Today’s Carolina Confidential is brought to you by Herring Insurance Services. Call, email, or PM Gamecock Central member Brent Herring today to discuss your home and auto insurance needs.
Located in Lexington but serving all of the Carolinas
803-356-0763
Brent@BrentHerring.com
@BHerring06
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