B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
Gamecock Nation Today
Friday, Feb. 15, 2019
Good morning and Happy Friday!
The women's basketball team beat Georgia last night. Today is opening day for baseball and the home opener for softball. There's a lot going in the world of Gamecock sports this weekend (see Section 2).
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– Gamecock Central publisher Brian Shoemaker
Pictured: Cartavious Bigsby. Credit: Rivals.com
1. The lead: Four prospects to watch in the 2020 recruiting class
USC’s staff has turned the page in full to the 2020 class (and beyond) now that the 2019 cycle is officially over. Yesterday, we discussed how the staff was off to a strong start in the ’20 cycle. Over the next couple days, we will dig a little deeper into some of the names Carolina fans need to be following closely on GamecockCentral.com.
Let’s begin by look at four players on the offensive side of the ball worth monitoring, one at each position the Gamecock staff is still targeting. USC figures to be finished at the quarterback position with Luke Doty on board.
- Hogansville (Georgia) Callaway running back Cartavious Bigsby – There has been plenty of talk about South Carolina’s need for an elite back (or two) in the 2020 class given the inconsistent production at the position, plus three seniors on the roster for the 2019 season.
Bigsby fits the potentially elite bill, and the Gamecocks are currently positioned well. USC will have to fend off other suitors around the southeast, but “Tank” is one that running backs coach Thomas Brown has a legitimate shot to pull in the 2020 class.
- Greensboro (North Carolina) Dudley wide receiver Michael Wyman – USC wants to pair another receiver or two with current pledge Da’Qon Stewart, and Wyman’s one that has been in the crosshairs for sometime. He’s been to South Carolina several times, most recently in January for one of the Gamecock staff’s elite junior day events.
Wyman does seem to enjoy the recruiting process, but indications are that South Carolina’s in a good spot, with the potential that he could make an earlier choice. Wes Mitchell broke things down in Tuesday’s Carolina Confidential (link requires subscription) on GamecockCentral.com. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher would make a nice addition to the class; he’s continued picking up offers from others during the early part of this year. Wyman will be back in Columbia this weekend, and the timing is interesting.
- Florence (Alabama) athlete Damarcus Beckwith – This 6-foot-5, 215-pounder is capable of playing multiple positions and is a tremendous athlete. The Gamecock staff is intrigued by his potential as a tight end, however. Beckwith missed an earlier scheduled visit in January but is slated to make it up this coming Saturday. The feel here is that Beckwith could end up landing a bunch more scholarship offers as time progresses. USC got an early jump, and depending on how this visit goes could firmly establish some staying power.
- Hutchinson (Kansas) OL Jazston Turnetine – This massive 6-foot-7 offensive tackle prospect is a Georgia native who went to junior college and is now drawing some Power 5 looks. USC offensive line coach Eric Wolford has been monitoring him for a while, traveling to Kansas to scout him during the contact period, and recently pulled the trigger on an offer.
USC’s offer could get the ball rolling on more. There are one-two more offensive line slots remaining, and early returns indicate that Turnetine is one to watch for USC there. He’ll likely be on campus this summer for an official visit.
Pictured: Noah Campbell. Credit: Katie Dugan
2. Plan your schedule accordingly
Friday, Feb. 15
- 2:30 p.m., Softball, hosts UNC Greensboro
- 3 p.m., Men's Tennis, hosts Clemson, YouTube
- 4 p.m., Baseball, hosts Liberty, SEC Network+
- 5 p.m., Softball, hosts Ohio University
- All day, Track & Field, USC Indoor Open
- 10 a.m., Equestrian, hosts Auburn
- 1 p.m., Men's Basketball, hosts Texas A&M, SEC Network
- 3 p.m., Softball, hosts Campbell
- 3 p.m., Baseball, hosts Liberty (no video)
- All day, Men's Golf, All-American Intercollegiate
- All day, Women's Golf, Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate
- 12:30 p.m., Softball, hosts St. John's
- 1 p.m., Men's Tennis, at Georgia Tech
- 1:30 p.m., Baseball, hosts Liberty, SEC Network+
- 2 p.m., Women's Basketball, at Florida
- Salt Lake at Birmingham (TE Busta Anderson, DE Devin Taylor) - Saturday at 2 p.m. - TNT
- Orlando (Head coach Steve Spurrier, TEs coach Scotty Spurrier, PK Elliott Fry, OL Ronald Patrick) at San Antonio - Sunday at 4 p.m. - CBS Sports Network
WBB: Reserves lead Gamecocks to victory. South Carolina overcame a poor performance to beat Georgia, 65-57. On a night when South Carolina’s starters were badly outplayed, the reserves came through to pull out the win. (link)
Also see: MBB/WBB News | WBB Schedule | WBB SEC Standings
Chris Cullen ready for breakout senior season. Chris Cullen was standing on the concourse watching a few former Gamecock players now in the minors taking batting practice. He was laughing and smiling as the interview got started and he immediately got serious. Then, the question he knew he’d be asked was lobbed out. (link)
Alternative host site approved for Gamecocks. South Carolina was granted a waiver by the NCAA to host this year's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament First & Second Rounds in Charlotte, should the Gamecocks receive a top-16 seed in the tournament. USC plans to host its tournament games at Halton Arena, on the campus of UNC Charlotte. (link)
Another Carolina Podcast. South Carolina insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell discuss the departure of Josh Belk, Evan Hinson's decision to focus on football only, upcoming recruiting visits and commit watches, and food - always food - with host Pearson Fowler. (link)
Top-10 February commitments for Gamecock football. USC has reeled in some talented prospects in the month of February, and in this feature we break down the top 10 commitments in the month for the Gamecocks. This feature breaks down only prospects who verbally committed in February, not prospects who committed earlier in the process and subsequently signed. (link requires subscription)
GNT: The curious case of Josh Belk. With surprising news coming Wednesday that South Carolina sophomore defensive tackle Josh Belk is giving up football, we look back at one of the more unique stories Gamecock Central has covered in its 20-plus years. (link)
Carolina Confidential: Winter workout scoop. South Carolina's winter workouts are well underway now and the new Cyndi and Kenneth Long Football Operations Center has created a noticeable boost in morale following the disappointment of the Belk Bowl as it's not uncommon to see... (link)
Inside the position: Outfielders. In the outfield, the Gamecocks only have really one player that logged innings last year and are breaking in three newcomers. There's some talent in the group, and the Gamecocks have a few pieces to work with in the grass this year. GamecockCentral takes a look at the outfield heading into this year with an in-depth breakdown. (link)
Podcast with Joe Rhett: Big possibilities over the last seven games. Gamecock great Joe Rhett discusses South Carolina' loss to Tennessee on the road and the possibilities upcoming over the Gamecocks' last seven SEC games. (link)
Tennessee OL nabs first offer from South Carolina. Clarksville (Tennessee) offensive lineman Blake Hundley was still waiting on his first major scholarship offer when South Carolina's staff recently came calling. (link)
4. Signee of the Day - Jakai Moore
With South Carolina's 2019 recruiting class completely signed and locked up, Gamecock Central is spotlighting one prospect each business day for 23 days.
Today's signee of the day is Nokesville (Va.) Patriot three-star OT Jakai Moore, who committed to the Gamecocks with Gamecock Central on hand in December.
Other offers: Penn State, Ohio State, Clemson, Florida, Virginia, Virginia Tech, among others.
Coach's corner: "Obviously there's the physical aspect of things. He's 6-5, 300 pounds, he's got long arms. I think we measured him and compared him, in the spring, to the NFL Combine guys and his length would be right there with any tackle that's coming out, so there's that. I think the thing that separates him from other guys is the fact that he plays so hard. He has a little bit of a mean streak that you don't always see from an offensive lineman. He just enjoys trying to be bury guys and being physically dominant." - Former Patriot Head Coach Brud Bicknell
Here's the link to Moore's commitment video: https://gcentr.al/2GKXMBN
– Wes Mitchell
5. This Date in Gamecock History
February 15, 2012 - In a low-scoring, poor-shooting game, the Gamecocks trailed the Georgia Bulldogs 46-39 with nine minutes left but rallied late, pulling ahead 50-48 with five minutes left, thanks to back-to-back baskets by Malik Cooke and Bruce Ellington. The two teams traded leads after that, but it would be Cooke with the final heroics, as his layup with 20 seconds left would provide the 1-point margin of victory. Cooke (13) points and Brenton Williams (10) were the only Gamecocks in double figures.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
Each day, Gamecock Central member LegionofBoom posts an "on this date" message on The Insiders Forum. Here is the post for Feb. 15 (link requires subscription).
6. Around Gamecock Nation
- Feb. 23 - Gamecocks at Mardi Gras Party, New Orleans (link)
- Feb. 24 - Charleston Gamecock Club Oyster Roast (link)
- Feb. 25 - Atlanta, Alumni Association President's Reception (link)
- Feb. 27 - Greenville, Alumni Association President's Reception
- March 9 - Charlotte Gamecock Club, Gamecock Yoga & Mimosas (link)
7. Gamecock Nation Celebrations
Gamecock Central member birthdays:
- @halfcocked# (member since 1999)
- @kebran03 (2009)
- @thomas.reames (2015)
Birthday. Michael Roth (P, 2009-12). College World Series hero was National Player of the Year in 2011 and SEC Male Athlete of the Year in 2012.
Birthday. Michael Curry (OF, 1996-98). Freshman All-America in 1996, All-SEC and 2nd Team All-America in 1998. Tied for career lead in steals. Arrived at South Carolina on football scholarship.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
8. Key Dates
Today: Baseball season begins
Feb. 27: Spring football practice begins
March 6-10: SEC Women's Basketball Tournament
March 13-17: SEC Men's Basketball Tournament
March 22-23: Will Muschamp Coaches Clinic
April 6: Spring football game
April 25-27: NFL Draft
July 15-18: SEC Media Days
Sept. 1: Football season begins
Did we miss something? Email shoe@gamecockcentral.com
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