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Wes Mitchell
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FOOTBALL NOTES
** South Carolina's current players are set to start returning to campus on June 1 in order to start voluntary workouts on June 8 and that also clears the way for the rest of the incoming freshman class to move in as well.
Obviously, there are different things at play here than a usual year and in touching base with several of the signees or people close to them, the dates for arriving on campus have ranged from the beginning of June to the end of June to them not being sure yet. There are more moving parts than normal, but as I'm working through touching base with all the signees, it seems most will be on campus next month.
Here's a list of the signees who have yet to enroll.
JUCO transfer ZaQuandre White should be on campus in August for the start of preseason camp.
** I'd expect almost everyone on the above list to have at least the opportunity to step right in and help. As we've said before, the receivers have been being told since they signed to be ready to play as playmakers are needed at that position, and the staff is very high on both tight end signees with Bell potentially being used as more of a hybrid jumbo receiver and H-back. He's healed up and back close to 100 percent from knee surgery.
Running back Rashad Amos isn't mentioned near as often as the other guys on the list, but don't be surprised to see him work his way into the mix for playing time too. That will obviously depend on some of the guys already on campus too, but the staff is high on Amos, and if an injury or two hits the position, I could see Amos being a surprise first-year contributor.
RECRUITING NOTES
** Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County class of 2021 three-star running back Caleb McDowell landed an offer from South Carolina last week and could be a prospect to keep an eye on despite his commitment to N.C. State.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound McDowell isn't doing any interviews right now, but there's reason to believe he's intrigued by the Gamecocks offer. McDowell is from the same town as current Gamecock Jammie Robinson.
Even though he's committed to N.C. State, he was not yet being recruited by the Wolfpack when Des Kitchings was there. McDowell does compare favorably to former Wolfpack running back Nyheim Hines, the speedster under Kitchings who is now in the NFL.
** South Carolina has some traction and momentum with Fairfield (Ala.) three-star wide receiver Malachi Bennett, who has been prioritized by Joe Cox since he took over the receivers.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder was planning to visit South Carolina earlier this year but the trip got cut off by the coronavirus. He now plans to take that trip once visits are allowed again.
While some prospects have gone ahead with committing, Bennett says he definitely wants to take some trips before making a decision, which should work in Carolina's favor.
Bennett has a top eight that includes South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Louisville, Texas A&M, Kentucky and UAB. Bennett is the nephew of former Vandy star receiver Earl Bennett.
** As Chris reported yesterday, our prediction with edge rush prospect Zaire Patterson's commitment today is Clemson. He's set to announce at 5 p.m.
** South Carolina has continued to offer top prospects from the 2023 class and the latest to land one on Tuesday is Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Catholic ATH Treyaun Webb, a national recruit who is already committed to Georgia.
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