South Carolina recently announced that three underclassmen would take part in the Gamecocks’ pro day on March 14, those being offensive lineman Zack Bailey, tight end Hayden Hurst, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The ability for underclassmen to participate stems from a recently passed rule that went into effect in the February, with the American Football Coaches Association working with the NFL to give the league a greater scope to evaluate underclassmen.
Each program can designate up to five underclassmen to be tested, timed, and interviewed at pro day, and teams will also be allowed to scout those players as if they were in their final seasons of eligibility throughout the year. Programs can apply for additional evaluations, if needed.
From what I’ve been told, it’s possible that those three underclassmen may not do everything at the pro day, as the weightlifting regiment the players are on right now is not as conducive to those timing types of tests. Even if not, it’s a valuable tool for the players as well as NFL teams.
Based on feedback I’ve received, Hurst was seen league-wide as a draftable prospect had he opted to come out after the 2016 season, a mid-at-best to late-at-worst round pick. His stock should rise to make him a higher selection as he continues to improve his game, and if he has a strong season in 2017. I would anticipate USC making a concerted effort to keep him as a key part of the offense this season, and I’ve been told the chemistry has been building between Hurst and returning quarterback Jake Bentley. The two are spending time hanging out over spring break.
People in and around the program are very high on Zack Bailey. Folks I’ve spoken with who have observed practice have been unanimous in singing his praises. Another also touched on something Wes Mitchell mentioned in one of his recent reports, and that is how much more vocal Bailey appears to be this spring.
“It seems that Bailey has really stepped up in a leadership role,” one person told me.
Samuel closed out 2016 very strong, and teams want to see him stay healthy for a full season and catch the ball with the consistency that he showed the latter half of the season. His speed, open-field talent, and ability to play bigger than his size in terms of catch radius are all traits that will help him during the evaluation process.
Interestingly, South Carolina is set to head from zero NFL Combine invites this year to potentially several in 2018. BUCK linebacker Darius English surprised some with the campaign he had in 2016, and I hear right now he’s very likely to get a preferred free agent deal with a team. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could be a very late draft selection; a big pro day could assist with that. The thought is that he profiles as a 3-4 pass-rushing type linebacker in the league.
The aforementioned Bailey, Hurst, and Samuel should all be drafted, should each opt to exit after the 2017 season. I’ve been told that Hurst is the guy that “should leave” after this season as long as he’s healthy and has the year many anticipate. If Bailey has a big year, the thought is that he could be a second or third round draft pick at this time. Other players mentioned to me from the current roster who are viewed as draftable right now (as far as next year’s crop) are Skai Moore, Bryson Allen-Williams, Dante Sawyer, Cory Helms, and Jamarcus King.
It’s a positive for Moore to go back to South Carolina to play another season, especially coming off a significant injury, surgery, and recovery. You all will recall that former USC standout Antonio Allen was a standout in Columbia but fell to late in the draft because he was a bit of a “tweener.” Moore could fall into that category, but if he’s healthy and tests well he could still be a mid-round draft pick because of his abilities.
As for Helms, NFL teams are aware that he played hurt last season and struggled with inconsistency all season as well. He can play multiple positions, has size, and has ability to he’s on the radar. It will obviously be key for him to stay healthy and play more consistently this season, and if so he could be a later selection.
One other point that was made to me was that history shows players have made poor decisions in leaving early at multiple programs in the past.
“Players should only declare if they are going top 75,” I was told “A lot of guys are in for a rude awakening this year. It’s the agents in their ears. You never know. They better ignore media and agents and play well.”
On the recruiting front, another linebacker heavily on South Carolina’s radar is south Florida’s Rosendo Louis. He’s listed at 225, but I’m told he’s actually 238 pounds right now and projected as an inside linebacker in the Gamecocks’ scheme. I hear that USC is in the best position right now, as well. Louis has been on USC’s campus multiple times and is expected to return sometime this spring to take in a practice along with his father, who has not yet visited the school. Louis is an early enrollee.
Each program can designate up to five underclassmen to be tested, timed, and interviewed at pro day, and teams will also be allowed to scout those players as if they were in their final seasons of eligibility throughout the year. Programs can apply for additional evaluations, if needed.
From what I’ve been told, it’s possible that those three underclassmen may not do everything at the pro day, as the weightlifting regiment the players are on right now is not as conducive to those timing types of tests. Even if not, it’s a valuable tool for the players as well as NFL teams.
Based on feedback I’ve received, Hurst was seen league-wide as a draftable prospect had he opted to come out after the 2016 season, a mid-at-best to late-at-worst round pick. His stock should rise to make him a higher selection as he continues to improve his game, and if he has a strong season in 2017. I would anticipate USC making a concerted effort to keep him as a key part of the offense this season, and I’ve been told the chemistry has been building between Hurst and returning quarterback Jake Bentley. The two are spending time hanging out over spring break.
People in and around the program are very high on Zack Bailey. Folks I’ve spoken with who have observed practice have been unanimous in singing his praises. Another also touched on something Wes Mitchell mentioned in one of his recent reports, and that is how much more vocal Bailey appears to be this spring.
“It seems that Bailey has really stepped up in a leadership role,” one person told me.
Samuel closed out 2016 very strong, and teams want to see him stay healthy for a full season and catch the ball with the consistency that he showed the latter half of the season. His speed, open-field talent, and ability to play bigger than his size in terms of catch radius are all traits that will help him during the evaluation process.
Interestingly, South Carolina is set to head from zero NFL Combine invites this year to potentially several in 2018. BUCK linebacker Darius English surprised some with the campaign he had in 2016, and I hear right now he’s very likely to get a preferred free agent deal with a team. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could be a very late draft selection; a big pro day could assist with that. The thought is that he profiles as a 3-4 pass-rushing type linebacker in the league.
The aforementioned Bailey, Hurst, and Samuel should all be drafted, should each opt to exit after the 2017 season. I’ve been told that Hurst is the guy that “should leave” after this season as long as he’s healthy and has the year many anticipate. If Bailey has a big year, the thought is that he could be a second or third round draft pick at this time. Other players mentioned to me from the current roster who are viewed as draftable right now (as far as next year’s crop) are Skai Moore, Bryson Allen-Williams, Dante Sawyer, Cory Helms, and Jamarcus King.
It’s a positive for Moore to go back to South Carolina to play another season, especially coming off a significant injury, surgery, and recovery. You all will recall that former USC standout Antonio Allen was a standout in Columbia but fell to late in the draft because he was a bit of a “tweener.” Moore could fall into that category, but if he’s healthy and tests well he could still be a mid-round draft pick because of his abilities.
As for Helms, NFL teams are aware that he played hurt last season and struggled with inconsistency all season as well. He can play multiple positions, has size, and has ability to he’s on the radar. It will obviously be key for him to stay healthy and play more consistently this season, and if so he could be a later selection.
One other point that was made to me was that history shows players have made poor decisions in leaving early at multiple programs in the past.
“Players should only declare if they are going top 75,” I was told “A lot of guys are in for a rude awakening this year. It’s the agents in their ears. You never know. They better ignore media and agents and play well.”
On the recruiting front, another linebacker heavily on South Carolina’s radar is south Florida’s Rosendo Louis. He’s listed at 225, but I’m told he’s actually 238 pounds right now and projected as an inside linebacker in the Gamecocks’ scheme. I hear that USC is in the best position right now, as well. Louis has been on USC’s campus multiple times and is expected to return sometime this spring to take in a practice along with his father, who has not yet visited the school. Louis is an early enrollee.
