B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
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Good morning from Gamecock Central.
It's decision day for 2020 cornerback Joey Hunter. The finalists are South Carolina and Texas A&M.
We're 60 days away from the Gamecocks playing North Carolina.
Chandler Farrell (Credit: Chris Gillespie)
1. 6️⃣0️⃣ Countdown to kickoff: 60 days!
Our countdown to South Carolina's 2019 season opener against North Carolina in Charlotte is now down to just 60 days. Today’s featured athlete is redshirt junior Chandler Farrell.
After walking on in 2016, Farrell worked his way into a reserve role in 2017 and played in five games last fall. This year, Farrell is locked in a battle for the starting job at center with Hank Manos. At the very least, he should be one of the first interior linemen off the bench in the fall.
– Will Helms
2. Three things to know about Week 1 opponent UNC
South Carolina opens up its 2019 football season in just under two months with a Bank of America Stadium border war set with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Year 4 of the Will Muschamp era begins with the first game of this Mack Brown era as the veteran coach returns to North Carolina for the second time in his career.
Here are three things to know about the Tar Heels.
• The QB situation is up in the air - Who will start at quarterback for North Carolina against the Gamecocks? It's a question that may not be answered for some time. The trio of redshirt freshmen Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder and true freshman early enrollee Sam Howell are battling it out for the starting spot with no current leader in place. Fortin is more of a traditional, big-armed pro-style quarterback while Ruder is more of an athletic, run-first playmaker. Both played some last year, but were able to take redshirt seasons.
Howell may be the future of the position, though. The four-star prospect pulled a late flip from Florida State to sign with the Tar Heels during the early signing period and is probably the most talented of the bunch. But will he be ready to take the reins for the season opener? That's the question.
• The backfield is a strength - The Tar Heels have plenty of question marks after winning just two games last season, the final nail for then-coach Larry Fedora. But if there's one position group that the new coaching staff won't be worried about, it's running back, where there's talent and depth. Antonio Williams, Jordon Brown, and Michael Carter form a trio of capable runners. Williams, Brown and Carter split carries last year and combined for 1,453 yards and 10 touchdowns on 259 carries for a 5.61 yards per carry average. We'd look for the Tar Heels to lean on that running game in 2019.
• New coordinators will put their stamps on UNC offense and defense - Carolina fans are familiar with new UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo, as he coordinated an Ole Miss unit that put up big numbers last season. The pass-first playcaller will look to revitalize an offense that was 11th in the ACC in scoring last season. Long-term Longo will look to spread the field and throw the football, but he'll likely have to adjust early on considering the situations at quarterback and running back.
Fans may be less familiar with new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, but the two-time Broyles Award finalist (given to the top assistant in college football) has put together strong defenses at Army. Bateman is expected to employ an aggressive, attacking scheme, but he'll have his work cut out for him this year as the Heels gave up 34.5 points and over 200 rushing yards per game last season.
– Wes Mitchell
3. This, that, and the other
Football Recruiting: Doty excelling at Elite 11 - The returns on South Carolina quarterback commit Luke Doty at the 2019 Elite 11 and Opening Finals have been nothing but positive. (link)
Men's Basketball Recruiting: In-state hoops target recaps recent visit - The Gamecocks recently hosted one of the best in-state players on an unofficial visit. (subscription)
Baseball: Gamecocks in the summer leagues update - The summer leagues are almost halfway over and there are a handful of Gamecocks playing really well. (link)
Athletic Department: Tanner reorganizes senior staff - Athletics Director Ray Tanner has reorganized his senior staff, giving five administrators new titles and duties. (link)
The latest: South Carolina football recruiting news (Hunter announcement) - Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks football program continues its pursuit of a strong 2020 recruiting class as the month of July approaches. Catch up on the very latest Gamecock football recruiting news in this feature. (link)
NBA: Summer league starts - The 2019 NBA Summer League started Monday and a pair of former Gamecocks were set to participate. Chris Silva will play with the Miami Heat in both the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League, while Duane Notice will play with the Toronto Raptors in Las Vegas. (link)
NBA: Pacers sign former Louisville, South Carolina player Bowen - Former Louisville and South Carolina player Brian Bowen II, caught up in the college basketball corruption scandal, has signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers. (link)
Women's Golf: Uwadia to take part in U.S. Women's Amateur Qualifying - USC's Anita Uwadia has officially entered the qualifying process for the 119th U.S. Women's Amateur. Uwadia will compete in sectional qualifying at Bermuda Run Country Club in Bermuda Run, N.C., on July 2. (link)
– Jackson Fields
4. Birthdays!
• Alex Hawkins – Recruited out of West Virginia, Hawkins was paired with another halfback in the same class, King Dixon, as roommates and backfield mates. The two were wildly different personalities and Hawkins brought a craziness to Dixon's more straightforwardness. As a sophomore in 1956, Hawkins was second to Dixon in rushing as he totaled 566 yards, while leading the team in receptions (10) and going 8 of 16 passing for 140 yards. Defensively, he tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. In 1957, Hawkins led the team in both rushing yardage (451) and passing yardage (153) as coach Warren Giese only put the ball in the air 54 times all year. As a senior, Hawkins was second in passing yardage, rushing yardage and receiving yardage and led the team in punt returns. He was named all-ACC, third-team All-America and ACC Player of the Year. He was a second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1959 and played 10 seasons in the NFL with Colts and Falcons, totaling 767 rushing yards and 1,751 receiving yards.
• Mark Barnes (football/wr-safety, 2007-08)
• Ashley Chastain (softball/pitcher, 2009-11)
• Kenny Davis (football/DT-OG, 2008-11)
• Mike Doyle (basketball/guard, 1977-80)
• Kevin McCutchen (football/safety, 1982)
• Rex Perozo (baseball/pitcher, 1984-85)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
5. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• July 11 – Baseball: Prospect camp (9 days)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days, Day 1 (13)
• July 16 – SEC Media Days, Day 2 (14)
• July 17 – SEC Media Days, Day 3 (15)
• July 18 – SEC Media Days, Day 4 (16)
• July 18 – Baseball: Prospect camp (16)
• July 20 – Football: Ladies Clinic (18)
• Aug. 1 – Football: Media Day (30)
• Aug. 17 – Baseball: Elite prospect camp (46)
• Aug. 22 – My Carolina Sports Preview (51)
• Aug. 22 – Carolina Calls feat. Muschamp (51)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (60)
• Nov. 13 – Basketball: Early signing period (134)
• Dec. 18 – Football: Early signing period (169)
• Feb. 5 – Football: Regular signing period (218)
6. Newest Podcast: Camp, Commitment Recap
Gamecock Central football and recruiting insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell join host Pearson Fowler on Another Carolina Podcast. Topics on this episode include:
Listen to Gamecock Central Podcasts on these platforms: Apple iTunes Podcasts| Spotify | PlayerFM | SoundCloud | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | Spreaker | YouTube
ALSO: more episodes | GC Radio app: App Store - Google Play
– Wes Mitchell
DID YOU KNOW? You can receive this report (Gamecocks Today) early each morning in your email inbox. Sign up here.
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GAMECOCKS TODAY!
Tuesday, July 2
Tuesday, July 2
Good morning from Gamecock Central.
It's decision day for 2020 cornerback Joey Hunter. The finalists are South Carolina and Texas A&M.
We're 60 days away from the Gamecocks playing North Carolina.
Chandler Farrell (Credit: Chris Gillespie)
1. 6️⃣0️⃣ Countdown to kickoff: 60 days!
Our countdown to South Carolina's 2019 season opener against North Carolina in Charlotte is now down to just 60 days. Today’s featured athlete is redshirt junior Chandler Farrell.
After walking on in 2016, Farrell worked his way into a reserve role in 2017 and played in five games last fall. This year, Farrell is locked in a battle for the starting job at center with Hank Manos. At the very least, he should be one of the first interior linemen off the bench in the fall.
– Will Helms
2. Three things to know about Week 1 opponent UNC
South Carolina opens up its 2019 football season in just under two months with a Bank of America Stadium border war set with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Year 4 of the Will Muschamp era begins with the first game of this Mack Brown era as the veteran coach returns to North Carolina for the second time in his career.
Here are three things to know about the Tar Heels.
• The QB situation is up in the air - Who will start at quarterback for North Carolina against the Gamecocks? It's a question that may not be answered for some time. The trio of redshirt freshmen Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder and true freshman early enrollee Sam Howell are battling it out for the starting spot with no current leader in place. Fortin is more of a traditional, big-armed pro-style quarterback while Ruder is more of an athletic, run-first playmaker. Both played some last year, but were able to take redshirt seasons.
Howell may be the future of the position, though. The four-star prospect pulled a late flip from Florida State to sign with the Tar Heels during the early signing period and is probably the most talented of the bunch. But will he be ready to take the reins for the season opener? That's the question.
• The backfield is a strength - The Tar Heels have plenty of question marks after winning just two games last season, the final nail for then-coach Larry Fedora. But if there's one position group that the new coaching staff won't be worried about, it's running back, where there's talent and depth. Antonio Williams, Jordon Brown, and Michael Carter form a trio of capable runners. Williams, Brown and Carter split carries last year and combined for 1,453 yards and 10 touchdowns on 259 carries for a 5.61 yards per carry average. We'd look for the Tar Heels to lean on that running game in 2019.
• New coordinators will put their stamps on UNC offense and defense - Carolina fans are familiar with new UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo, as he coordinated an Ole Miss unit that put up big numbers last season. The pass-first playcaller will look to revitalize an offense that was 11th in the ACC in scoring last season. Long-term Longo will look to spread the field and throw the football, but he'll likely have to adjust early on considering the situations at quarterback and running back.
Fans may be less familiar with new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, but the two-time Broyles Award finalist (given to the top assistant in college football) has put together strong defenses at Army. Bateman is expected to employ an aggressive, attacking scheme, but he'll have his work cut out for him this year as the Heels gave up 34.5 points and over 200 rushing yards per game last season.
– Wes Mitchell
3. This, that, and the other
Football Recruiting: Doty excelling at Elite 11 - The returns on South Carolina quarterback commit Luke Doty at the 2019 Elite 11 and Opening Finals have been nothing but positive. (link)
Men's Basketball Recruiting: In-state hoops target recaps recent visit - The Gamecocks recently hosted one of the best in-state players on an unofficial visit. (subscription)
Baseball: Gamecocks in the summer leagues update - The summer leagues are almost halfway over and there are a handful of Gamecocks playing really well. (link)
Athletic Department: Tanner reorganizes senior staff - Athletics Director Ray Tanner has reorganized his senior staff, giving five administrators new titles and duties. (link)
The latest: South Carolina football recruiting news (Hunter announcement) - Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks football program continues its pursuit of a strong 2020 recruiting class as the month of July approaches. Catch up on the very latest Gamecock football recruiting news in this feature. (link)
NBA: Summer league starts - The 2019 NBA Summer League started Monday and a pair of former Gamecocks were set to participate. Chris Silva will play with the Miami Heat in both the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League, while Duane Notice will play with the Toronto Raptors in Las Vegas. (link)
NBA: Pacers sign former Louisville, South Carolina player Bowen - Former Louisville and South Carolina player Brian Bowen II, caught up in the college basketball corruption scandal, has signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers. (link)
Women's Golf: Uwadia to take part in U.S. Women's Amateur Qualifying - USC's Anita Uwadia has officially entered the qualifying process for the 119th U.S. Women's Amateur. Uwadia will compete in sectional qualifying at Bermuda Run Country Club in Bermuda Run, N.C., on July 2. (link)
– Jackson Fields
4. Birthdays!
• Alex Hawkins – Recruited out of West Virginia, Hawkins was paired with another halfback in the same class, King Dixon, as roommates and backfield mates. The two were wildly different personalities and Hawkins brought a craziness to Dixon's more straightforwardness. As a sophomore in 1956, Hawkins was second to Dixon in rushing as he totaled 566 yards, while leading the team in receptions (10) and going 8 of 16 passing for 140 yards. Defensively, he tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. In 1957, Hawkins led the team in both rushing yardage (451) and passing yardage (153) as coach Warren Giese only put the ball in the air 54 times all year. As a senior, Hawkins was second in passing yardage, rushing yardage and receiving yardage and led the team in punt returns. He was named all-ACC, third-team All-America and ACC Player of the Year. He was a second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1959 and played 10 seasons in the NFL with Colts and Falcons, totaling 767 rushing yards and 1,751 receiving yards.
• Mark Barnes (football/wr-safety, 2007-08)
• Ashley Chastain (softball/pitcher, 2009-11)
• Kenny Davis (football/DT-OG, 2008-11)
• Mike Doyle (basketball/guard, 1977-80)
• Kevin McCutchen (football/safety, 1982)
• Rex Perozo (baseball/pitcher, 1984-85)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
5. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• July 11 – Baseball: Prospect camp (9 days)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days, Day 1 (13)
• July 16 – SEC Media Days, Day 2 (14)
• July 17 – SEC Media Days, Day 3 (15)
• July 18 – SEC Media Days, Day 4 (16)
• July 18 – Baseball: Prospect camp (16)
• July 20 – Football: Ladies Clinic (18)
• Aug. 1 – Football: Media Day (30)
• Aug. 17 – Baseball: Elite prospect camp (46)
• Aug. 22 – My Carolina Sports Preview (51)
• Aug. 22 – Carolina Calls feat. Muschamp (51)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (60)
• Nov. 13 – Basketball: Early signing period (134)
• Dec. 18 – Football: Early signing period (169)
• Feb. 5 – Football: Regular signing period (218)
6. Newest Podcast: Camp, Commitment Recap
Gamecock Central football and recruiting insiders Chris Clark and Wes Mitchell join host Pearson Fowler on Another Carolina Podcast. Topics on this episode include:
- Catching up on three South Carolina commits since our last show: OL Vershon Lee, DB Dominick Hill and TE Nick Muse. The scoop on why the Gamecocks took a transfer tight end.
- The latest on two official visitors who South Carolina hosted this past weekend, wide receiver Deajuan McDougle and DB Joey Hunter.
- Is 2021 quarterback Colten Gauthier already the one to watch for the Gamecocks in that class?
- Who impressed at camp so far and what has stood out to the Gamecock Central staff.
Listen to Gamecock Central Podcasts on these platforms: Apple iTunes Podcasts| Spotify | PlayerFM | SoundCloud | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | Spreaker | YouTube
ALSO: more episodes | GC Radio app: App Store - Google Play
– Wes Mitchell
