The two headline visitors from a rankings standpoint on Saturday were five-star defenders Xavier Thomas and KJ Henry, two priority prospects for the Gamecocks. The pair spent some time together during the Gamecocks’ spring game, and we’ve been told both really enjoyed their latest trips to Columbia.
There is not much to add to Wes Mitchell’s Sunday report regarding Thomas; that being that his familiarity and comfort level with South Carolina is such that there is unlikely to be any groundbreaking new developments after his visits to campus. Yet that very notion is also why South Carolina has positioned itself so well with the Florence native. USC has done very well with him since Will Muschamp’s arrival in December 2015 in coming from behind in his recruitment to becoming the team that everyone else has to beat.
As for Henry, his father and mother joined him on the trip, and I’ve been told that both liked what they saw at USC. Henry’s father is an assistant football coach at Charlotte who’s familiar with the Gamecock staff, and Henry’s mother has also been very involved in her son’s recruiting process. The conversations with the USC coaching staff were the highlight of the trip in that regard, from what I’m told. Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio State are most consistently mentioned as the front-runners for Henry, who will release a top 10 Wednesday. It would be a big upset for the Gamecocks not to be included in that list, and the belief on this end is that South Carolina could still ascend for Henry before all is said and done.
North Carolina linebacker Dax Hollifield was unable to make the trip to Columbia, as previously planned. South Caroina remains a substantial factor for the four-star defender, with Virginia Tech representing the primary competition.
An intriguing running back prospects was among the large group of visitors on Saturday as well; Florida’s Lavonte Valentine has a personal best of 10.44 seconds in the 100 meter dash. We're told he had a very good trip to Columbia and should be catching up with him in the near future for further insight. To some extent, the lead candidate for a second back in the class has not become clear, with several verbal offers having gone out and the staff remaining in communication with a variety of players at the position. USC’s top target there remains Tennessee’s Master Teague.
Charlotte-area products Jovaughn Gwyn (2018 offensive linemen) and Quavaris Crouch (2019 athlete) also made their way to Columbia for a visit on Saturday. I’m told South Carolina is near the top, if not at the top, for both and that it was one of the best visits the pair has taken.
It will be interesting to see how the Gamecock staff approaches the offensive line position going forward, with several prospects still on the board, some of which South Carolina is in good position with right now. As Wes has mentioned, South Carolina is looking to the junior college ranks and could find a guy there as well. Warren Ericson out of Georgia is someone that USC has a chance to ultimately sign as an interior prospect, and four-star offensive tackle Dylan Wonnum is another as his respective position. Wonnum made his way to campus again for the spring game.
There is not much to add to Wes Mitchell’s Sunday report regarding Thomas; that being that his familiarity and comfort level with South Carolina is such that there is unlikely to be any groundbreaking new developments after his visits to campus. Yet that very notion is also why South Carolina has positioned itself so well with the Florence native. USC has done very well with him since Will Muschamp’s arrival in December 2015 in coming from behind in his recruitment to becoming the team that everyone else has to beat.
As for Henry, his father and mother joined him on the trip, and I’ve been told that both liked what they saw at USC. Henry’s father is an assistant football coach at Charlotte who’s familiar with the Gamecock staff, and Henry’s mother has also been very involved in her son’s recruiting process. The conversations with the USC coaching staff were the highlight of the trip in that regard, from what I’m told. Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio State are most consistently mentioned as the front-runners for Henry, who will release a top 10 Wednesday. It would be a big upset for the Gamecocks not to be included in that list, and the belief on this end is that South Carolina could still ascend for Henry before all is said and done.
North Carolina linebacker Dax Hollifield was unable to make the trip to Columbia, as previously planned. South Caroina remains a substantial factor for the four-star defender, with Virginia Tech representing the primary competition.
An intriguing running back prospects was among the large group of visitors on Saturday as well; Florida’s Lavonte Valentine has a personal best of 10.44 seconds in the 100 meter dash. We're told he had a very good trip to Columbia and should be catching up with him in the near future for further insight. To some extent, the lead candidate for a second back in the class has not become clear, with several verbal offers having gone out and the staff remaining in communication with a variety of players at the position. USC’s top target there remains Tennessee’s Master Teague.
Charlotte-area products Jovaughn Gwyn (2018 offensive linemen) and Quavaris Crouch (2019 athlete) also made their way to Columbia for a visit on Saturday. I’m told South Carolina is near the top, if not at the top, for both and that it was one of the best visits the pair has taken.
It will be interesting to see how the Gamecock staff approaches the offensive line position going forward, with several prospects still on the board, some of which South Carolina is in good position with right now. As Wes has mentioned, South Carolina is looking to the junior college ranks and could find a guy there as well. Warren Ericson out of Georgia is someone that USC has a chance to ultimately sign as an interior prospect, and four-star offensive tackle Dylan Wonnum is another as his respective position. Wonnum made his way to campus again for the spring game.
