B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
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Good morning from Gamecock Central.
Father's Day is Sunday, and we have Gamecock Central gift subscriptions that range in length from one month to five years!
We're 82 days away from the Gamecocks playing North Carolina.
Up to 30% off of Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach rentals!
It's not too late to make a beach reservation for sometime in June.
Call James W. Smith Real Estate today, mention the Gamecocks special and get up to 30% off of a rental.
- Visit pawleysvacationrentals.com
- Call 800-476-5651 to ask about the special
KeShawn Toney/Credit: Katie Dugan
1. 8️⃣2️⃣ Countdown to kickoff: 82 days!
Our countdown to South Carolina's 2019 season opener against North Carolina in Charlotte is now down to just 82 days, and we’ve come to our first true freshman on the countdown, tight end KeShawn Toney.
Toney was a bit unheralded as a recruit despite hauling in over 150 passes at Williston-Elko High School. A three-star prospect ranked ninth-best in South Carolina, Toney earned an offer in March of 2018 after a campus visit and committed to the Gamecocks the next day.
This season, Toney may be limited to special teams with the primary tight end spots being filled by senior Kiel Pollard and redshirt junior Kyle Markway. Still, Toney is a solid blocker who should earn playing time in the future.
– Will Helms
2. Recapping a wild recruiting weekend
Entering Friday, it was known that South Carolina’s football staff would host an important slate of recruits on official visits. Big-time committed running back MarShawn Lloyd, tight end flip candidate Jaheim Bell, OL target Vershon Lee, JUCO wide receiver Malik Heath, and talented Tennessee product Reggie Grimesall made their way to campus. All this, by the way, was set to happen in conjunction with two Will Muschamp Football Camp sessions on Friday and Saturday.
When the dust settled, South Carolina exited the weekend with five new verbal commitments, four of which have been publicly revealed. Let’s take a quick look at each pledge:
• Sumter (South Carolina) defensive back O’Donnell Fortune: Muschamp and his staff really hone in on the DB position during camp season, and this in-state product had the, ahem, fortune of picking up an offer after turning in a strong camp performance. It was the one he had been looking for, and he accepted it on the spot. He’s a long corner with ball skills.
• Gainesville (Georgia) defensive tackle Makius Scott: A big tackle out of Georgia, Scott could play a similar role to current USC tackle Kobe Smith as a run-plugging type nose guard in the Gamecocks’ defensive scheme. USC has liked him for a while, offering back in January, and his recruitment took the final step once the staff was able to work him out this weekend.
• Columbia (South Carolina) Hammond defensive tackle Alex Huntley: A long-time target of Muschamp’s, Huntley decided that what was going to be done eventually needed to be done immediately and dropped his commitment video over the weekend. He’s a stellar student and person (Hammond’s student body president) who will easily play at 300 pounds and has versatility and movement skills.
• Abbeville (South Carolina) offensive lineman Trai Jones: He may be under the radar, but he’s led the way for a high school rushing attack that’s resulted in multiple state titles. He’s an offensive lineman who’s been timed in the 4.7 second range in the 40-yard dash and can really move. He’s not the tallest, but has long arms and a lot of potential. He was another one USC moved on quickly after working him out in camp.
• In addition to the commitments, South Carolina made some pretty significant moves with the other official visit targets as well.
Check out our in-depth coverage of those visitors, Will Muschamp Football Camp, and Gamecock recruiting as a whole with the following links.
– Chris Clark
COMMITMENT STORIES
• In-state corner O'Donnell Fortune commits to South Carolina (link)
• In-state offensive lineman Trai Jones pledges to Gamecocks (link)
• Georgia DT Makius Scott commits to South Carolina (link)
• Four-star DT Alex Huntley commits to South Carolina (link)
• Related: Erik Kimrey on Huntley: 'He's the total package' (subscription)
OFFICIAL VISIT STORIES
• Grimes: Gamecocks 'closer to the top' after official visit (subscription)
• Vershon Lee raves about official, closes in on possible decision (subscription)
• Malik Heath: 'I'm just amazed right now' (subscription)
• Bell could see himself playing at South Carolina (subscription)
• Sunday official visit recruiting scoop(subscription)
MORE RECRUITING & CAMP COVERAGE
• USC offers in-state freshman quarterback (subscription)
• 2021 QB Nussmeier has 'awesome' first experience at USC (subscription)
• Friday: Muschamp Football Camp Insider - Day Two (subscription)
• Luke Doty, Da'Qon Stewart work out at camp Friday (subscription)
• Saturday: Muschamp Football Camp Insider - Day Three (subscription)
3. This, that, and the other
Track & Field: Hall Wins 400mH National Title on historic night - History was made on Friday night as junior Quincy Hall won the 400m hurdles title at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. (link)
Track & Field: Jonathas claims 400m crown - It was another national title day for the track & field team on Saturday as Wadeline Jonathas won the NCAA women's 400m crown on the final day of the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships. (link)
What Ray Tanner said about alcohol sales - South Carolina fans may soon have the option to buy alcohol at Williams-Brice, or at any other Gamecock sports venue, but it may not be available for the team’s first home game. (link)
Men's Basketball: Homecoming for Seventh Woods - Former Columbia standout Seventh Woods is coming home. Woods posted a story on his Instagram Friday showing his official South Carolina student ID with the caption "USC '20." A source confirmed to Gamecock Central that Woods is set to join the South Carolina men's basketball team as a walk-on. (link)
Men's Basketball Recruiting: A note on hoops officials this weekend - Quick note as two visits wrap up this weekend. (subscription)
Men's Basketball Recruiting: Gamecocks in the mix for Rivals150 small forward - Eugene Brown talks about schools making the biggest impressions. (subscription)
Baseball: Morgan officially signs with Mariners - Reid Morgan's professional career has officially started. The junior reliever signed his contract with the Seattle Mariners' organization to begin his journey through the minors. (link)
Baseball: Outfielder transferring from program - Ian Jenkins has entered the transfer portal and will leave the program this summer. Jenkins leaves after his redshirt freshman season and will have three years of eligibility left. (link)
Baseball Recruiting: Gamecock pitching signee ready to compete for starter innings - The junior college pitcher is ready to see what he can bring to next year's staff. (link)
Women's Golf: Go helps win 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup - Rising-senior Lois Kaye Go helped Team International win the 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup, contributing one of the final points to clinch the win at the prestigious event. (link)
– Jackson Fields
4. This Date in Gamecock History
June 10, 2006 – The Gamecocks bashed a record-setting five home runs in a row in a 15-6 regional win over Georgia.
5. Birthdays!
Mike McCabe – Joined the Gamecocks from Knoxville Catholic. McCabe began his Gamecock career on the defensive side of the ball, working as an end on the 1971 freshman team, then redshirted in 1972 at defensive tackle. He moved to offensive guard for the 1973 season, but really blossomed in 1974 when he was moved to center. McCabe would start the next 23 games there (1974-75). He was named to the modern era all-time USC team in 1993 and inducted into the USC Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Eric Cobb (basketball, 2015-16)
Chris Cowan (football, 1973-75)
Keith Killian (baseball, 1982-85)
Paul Martin (football, 1979-83)
Jovi McAndrew (baseball, 1989-90)
Jason Thomas (football, 1995-97)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
6. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• June 13 – Football: OL/DL camps (3 days)
• June 13 – Football: 7-on-7 tourney (3)
• June 14 – Football: OL/DL camps (4)
• June 14 – Football: 7-on-7 tourney (4)
• June 15 – Football: One-day camp (5)
• June 19 – Football: One-day camp (9)
• June 20 – Football: One-day camp (10)
• June 21 – Football: One-day camp (11)
• June 22 – Football: One-day camp (12)
• June 22 – Football: Specialists camp (12)
• June 27 – Baseball: Prospect camp (17)
• July 11 – Baseball: Prospect camp (31)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days, Day 1 (35)
• July 16 – SEC Media Days, Day 2 (36)
• July 17 – SEC Media Days, Day 3 (37)
• July 18 – SEC Media Days, Day 4 (38)
• July 18 – Baseball: Prospect camp (38)
• July 20 – Ladies Football Clinic (40)
• Aug. 17 – Baseball: Elite prospect camp (68)
• Aug. 22 – My Carolina Sports Preview (73)
• Aug. 22 – Carolina Calls feat. Muschamp (73)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (82)
• Nov. 13 – Basketball: Early signing period (156)
• Dec. 18 – Football: Early signing period (191)
• Feb. 5 – Football: Regular signing period (240)
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
Monday, June 10
Monday, June 10
Good morning from Gamecock Central.
Father's Day is Sunday, and we have Gamecock Central gift subscriptions that range in length from one month to five years!
We're 82 days away from the Gamecocks playing North Carolina.
Up to 30% off of Pawleys Island and Litchfield Beach rentals!
It's not too late to make a beach reservation for sometime in June.
Call James W. Smith Real Estate today, mention the Gamecocks special and get up to 30% off of a rental.
- Visit pawleysvacationrentals.com
- Call 800-476-5651 to ask about the special
KeShawn Toney/Credit: Katie Dugan
1. 8️⃣2️⃣ Countdown to kickoff: 82 days!
Our countdown to South Carolina's 2019 season opener against North Carolina in Charlotte is now down to just 82 days, and we’ve come to our first true freshman on the countdown, tight end KeShawn Toney.
Toney was a bit unheralded as a recruit despite hauling in over 150 passes at Williston-Elko High School. A three-star prospect ranked ninth-best in South Carolina, Toney earned an offer in March of 2018 after a campus visit and committed to the Gamecocks the next day.
This season, Toney may be limited to special teams with the primary tight end spots being filled by senior Kiel Pollard and redshirt junior Kyle Markway. Still, Toney is a solid blocker who should earn playing time in the future.
– Will Helms
2. Recapping a wild recruiting weekend
Entering Friday, it was known that South Carolina’s football staff would host an important slate of recruits on official visits. Big-time committed running back MarShawn Lloyd, tight end flip candidate Jaheim Bell, OL target Vershon Lee, JUCO wide receiver Malik Heath, and talented Tennessee product Reggie Grimesall made their way to campus. All this, by the way, was set to happen in conjunction with two Will Muschamp Football Camp sessions on Friday and Saturday.
When the dust settled, South Carolina exited the weekend with five new verbal commitments, four of which have been publicly revealed. Let’s take a quick look at each pledge:
• Sumter (South Carolina) defensive back O’Donnell Fortune: Muschamp and his staff really hone in on the DB position during camp season, and this in-state product had the, ahem, fortune of picking up an offer after turning in a strong camp performance. It was the one he had been looking for, and he accepted it on the spot. He’s a long corner with ball skills.
• Gainesville (Georgia) defensive tackle Makius Scott: A big tackle out of Georgia, Scott could play a similar role to current USC tackle Kobe Smith as a run-plugging type nose guard in the Gamecocks’ defensive scheme. USC has liked him for a while, offering back in January, and his recruitment took the final step once the staff was able to work him out this weekend.
• Columbia (South Carolina) Hammond defensive tackle Alex Huntley: A long-time target of Muschamp’s, Huntley decided that what was going to be done eventually needed to be done immediately and dropped his commitment video over the weekend. He’s a stellar student and person (Hammond’s student body president) who will easily play at 300 pounds and has versatility and movement skills.
• Abbeville (South Carolina) offensive lineman Trai Jones: He may be under the radar, but he’s led the way for a high school rushing attack that’s resulted in multiple state titles. He’s an offensive lineman who’s been timed in the 4.7 second range in the 40-yard dash and can really move. He’s not the tallest, but has long arms and a lot of potential. He was another one USC moved on quickly after working him out in camp.
• In addition to the commitments, South Carolina made some pretty significant moves with the other official visit targets as well.
Check out our in-depth coverage of those visitors, Will Muschamp Football Camp, and Gamecock recruiting as a whole with the following links.
– Chris Clark
COMMITMENT STORIES
• In-state corner O'Donnell Fortune commits to South Carolina (link)
• In-state offensive lineman Trai Jones pledges to Gamecocks (link)
• Georgia DT Makius Scott commits to South Carolina (link)
• Four-star DT Alex Huntley commits to South Carolina (link)
• Related: Erik Kimrey on Huntley: 'He's the total package' (subscription)
OFFICIAL VISIT STORIES
• Grimes: Gamecocks 'closer to the top' after official visit (subscription)
• Vershon Lee raves about official, closes in on possible decision (subscription)
• Malik Heath: 'I'm just amazed right now' (subscription)
• Bell could see himself playing at South Carolina (subscription)
• Sunday official visit recruiting scoop(subscription)
MORE RECRUITING & CAMP COVERAGE
• USC offers in-state freshman quarterback (subscription)
• 2021 QB Nussmeier has 'awesome' first experience at USC (subscription)
• Friday: Muschamp Football Camp Insider - Day Two (subscription)
• Luke Doty, Da'Qon Stewart work out at camp Friday (subscription)
• Saturday: Muschamp Football Camp Insider - Day Three (subscription)
3. This, that, and the other
Track & Field: Hall Wins 400mH National Title on historic night - History was made on Friday night as junior Quincy Hall won the 400m hurdles title at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. (link)
Track & Field: Jonathas claims 400m crown - It was another national title day for the track & field team on Saturday as Wadeline Jonathas won the NCAA women's 400m crown on the final day of the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships. (link)
What Ray Tanner said about alcohol sales - South Carolina fans may soon have the option to buy alcohol at Williams-Brice, or at any other Gamecock sports venue, but it may not be available for the team’s first home game. (link)
Men's Basketball: Homecoming for Seventh Woods - Former Columbia standout Seventh Woods is coming home. Woods posted a story on his Instagram Friday showing his official South Carolina student ID with the caption "USC '20." A source confirmed to Gamecock Central that Woods is set to join the South Carolina men's basketball team as a walk-on. (link)
Men's Basketball Recruiting: A note on hoops officials this weekend - Quick note as two visits wrap up this weekend. (subscription)
Men's Basketball Recruiting: Gamecocks in the mix for Rivals150 small forward - Eugene Brown talks about schools making the biggest impressions. (subscription)
Baseball: Morgan officially signs with Mariners - Reid Morgan's professional career has officially started. The junior reliever signed his contract with the Seattle Mariners' organization to begin his journey through the minors. (link)
Baseball: Outfielder transferring from program - Ian Jenkins has entered the transfer portal and will leave the program this summer. Jenkins leaves after his redshirt freshman season and will have three years of eligibility left. (link)
Baseball Recruiting: Gamecock pitching signee ready to compete for starter innings - The junior college pitcher is ready to see what he can bring to next year's staff. (link)
Women's Golf: Go helps win 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup - Rising-senior Lois Kaye Go helped Team International win the 2019 Arnold Palmer Cup, contributing one of the final points to clinch the win at the prestigious event. (link)
– Jackson Fields
4. This Date in Gamecock History
June 10, 2006 – The Gamecocks bashed a record-setting five home runs in a row in a 15-6 regional win over Georgia.
- Neil Gielser, Justin Smoak, Phil Disher, Andrew Crisp and Robbie Grinestaff knocked balls out of the park in succession in the top of the second.
- The slugfest opened up a 9-0 lead over the Bulldogs and Harris Honeycutt coasted on the mound for 8.1 innings and Chase Tucker got the final two outs won the opener of the Athens series.
- Carolina led 12-1 by the sixth inning and Crisp and Grinestaff would both finish with two homers in the game while third baseman James Darnell added another round-tripper.
5. Birthdays!
Mike McCabe – Joined the Gamecocks from Knoxville Catholic. McCabe began his Gamecock career on the defensive side of the ball, working as an end on the 1971 freshman team, then redshirted in 1972 at defensive tackle. He moved to offensive guard for the 1973 season, but really blossomed in 1974 when he was moved to center. McCabe would start the next 23 games there (1974-75). He was named to the modern era all-time USC team in 1993 and inducted into the USC Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Eric Cobb (basketball, 2015-16)
Chris Cowan (football, 1973-75)
Keith Killian (baseball, 1982-85)
Paul Martin (football, 1979-83)
Jovi McAndrew (baseball, 1989-90)
Jason Thomas (football, 1995-97)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
6. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• June 13 – Football: OL/DL camps (3 days)
• June 13 – Football: 7-on-7 tourney (3)
• June 14 – Football: OL/DL camps (4)
• June 14 – Football: 7-on-7 tourney (4)
• June 15 – Football: One-day camp (5)
• June 19 – Football: One-day camp (9)
• June 20 – Football: One-day camp (10)
• June 21 – Football: One-day camp (11)
• June 22 – Football: One-day camp (12)
• June 22 – Football: Specialists camp (12)
• June 27 – Baseball: Prospect camp (17)
• July 11 – Baseball: Prospect camp (31)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days, Day 1 (35)
• July 16 – SEC Media Days, Day 2 (36)
• July 17 – SEC Media Days, Day 3 (37)
• July 18 – SEC Media Days, Day 4 (38)
• July 18 – Baseball: Prospect camp (38)
• July 20 – Ladies Football Clinic (40)
• Aug. 17 – Baseball: Elite prospect camp (68)
• Aug. 22 – My Carolina Sports Preview (73)
• Aug. 22 – Carolina Calls feat. Muschamp (73)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (82)
• Nov. 13 – Basketball: Early signing period (156)
• Dec. 18 – Football: Early signing period (191)
• Feb. 5 – Football: Regular signing period (240)
