From Recruiting Editor Lee Wardlaw: I am currently wording a feature on the Gamecocks' recruitment of 6-foot-7, 286-pound Class of 2024 OT Josiah Thompson, a sledgehammer trench warrior hailing from the Dillon Wildcats, a 3A South Carolina High School Leauge powerhouse that finished 9-1 in 2021, only falling to Xzavier McLeod and the Camden Bulldogs in the Palmetto State semifinals.
Here's a bit of intel: Alabama could soon enter the race for the prospect under offensive line coach Eric Wolford, who originally offered him while working the same position at Gamecocks' SEC East Rival Kentucky. He was in Tuscaloosa for an unofficial visit on June 25 to Nick Saban's dynasty program.
Thompson said the Crimson Tide loved him, but coaches will still need to scout his film. Meanwhile, I would expect Gamecocks' WR target Mazeo Bennett (Greenville Red Raiders) to commit to Clemson if the Tigers offer, according to a coaching source in the area that is within the prospect's circle of trust. Obviously, as a 2024 prospect that commitment might not be immediate, and perhaps South Carolina could still remain in the mix due to their early relationship with Bennett, but it would seem that he would certainly covet a Clemson offer if this source is correct. That's because the Red Raiders (who had five Division 1 signees in 2021 and finished 10-3 and in AAAA state quarterfinals) have two prospects that committed to Clemson in the Class of 2023 cycle: OT Collin Sadler and TE Josh Sapp.
The Gamecocks certainly still have a shot with both, but I would especially keep my eye on the Mazeo Bennett movement. Even if Alabama offers Thompson, I believe that South Carolina would have a better chance of landing Josiah Thompson over the Crimson Tide than Mazeo Bennett over the Clemson Tigers.
Here's to happy hunting on the recruiting trail for second-year Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The young, hungry, second-year head coach is doing very well and keeping the Gamecocks competitive early in the Rivals national rankings for 2023, but there's always going to be (fierce) competition in the SEC. It's just the nature of the beast.
#SouthCarolinaGamecocks
#AlabamaCrimsonTide
#ClemsonTigers
#JosiahThompson
#MazeoBennett
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