Insider Report August 8
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Recruiting tidbits
Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb defensive lineman Derrick Lott is a major long shot to qualify academically, which plays into the Gamecocks’ hands. They knew when they offered him that he likely wouldn’t make it, but they would like to place him at Fork Union and re-sign him as part of their class of 2010. His academic status combined with Georgia’s lack of available scholarships make it unlikely the Bulldogs will offer him.
There are reports that four-star receiver Jamal Patterson has eliminated Carolina, and it’s not something you should lose sleep over. Despite his high rating, I can tell you he was not as high on the Gamecocks’ board as you might have thought.
Defensive end Chaz Sutton, safety Darrell Simmons, and defensive lineman Ronald Byrd are all three headed to Fork Union and plan to enroll at USC in January or June 2009, depending on how their academic situations shake out while in prep school.
Athlete Tori Childers is still waiting on the results of his re-take of the SAT, while offensive lineman Elliot Williams is planning to re-take his class this fall with hopes of enrolling at USC in January.
Team Information
Provided they stay healthy, I look for both of the Lindsey twins to make the most of their final opportunity, and their presence could really be a bonus for the defense. Jordin brings a ton of experience to the defensive line and will do things the way Brad Lawing wants them done. Dustin also brings a lot of career snaps to the linebacker position and looks like he’s dying to hit someone out there on the field after having been away from it for essentially two years.
There is no reason the offensive line can’t be significantly better this year. As an overall group, they have more talent, more depth and more athleticism than at any other point in Spurrier’s tenure. If they struggle again this season it can’t be blamed on a lack of ability on their part.
One guy not in the mix right now is Kevin Young, who is still recovering from major surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered during the spring.
The coaches continue to call Moe Brown’s number on the deep passes. He has clearly demonstrated the ability to get a step or two on the defense, but he and the quarterbacks have not been able to hit one just yet. You get the feeling he just needs to catch a couple in the games to really take his confidence to the next high level.
- Time is running out. Get The Side Line for free. No charge.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com.
This post was edited on 8/8 8:21 AM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 8/11 12:05 PM by Brian Shoemaker
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Recruiting tidbits
Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb defensive lineman Derrick Lott is a major long shot to qualify academically, which plays into the Gamecocks’ hands. They knew when they offered him that he likely wouldn’t make it, but they would like to place him at Fork Union and re-sign him as part of their class of 2010. His academic status combined with Georgia’s lack of available scholarships make it unlikely the Bulldogs will offer him.
There are reports that four-star receiver Jamal Patterson has eliminated Carolina, and it’s not something you should lose sleep over. Despite his high rating, I can tell you he was not as high on the Gamecocks’ board as you might have thought.
Defensive end Chaz Sutton, safety Darrell Simmons, and defensive lineman Ronald Byrd are all three headed to Fork Union and plan to enroll at USC in January or June 2009, depending on how their academic situations shake out while in prep school.
Athlete Tori Childers is still waiting on the results of his re-take of the SAT, while offensive lineman Elliot Williams is planning to re-take his class this fall with hopes of enrolling at USC in January.
Team Information
Provided they stay healthy, I look for both of the Lindsey twins to make the most of their final opportunity, and their presence could really be a bonus for the defense. Jordin brings a ton of experience to the defensive line and will do things the way Brad Lawing wants them done. Dustin also brings a lot of career snaps to the linebacker position and looks like he’s dying to hit someone out there on the field after having been away from it for essentially two years.
There is no reason the offensive line can’t be significantly better this year. As an overall group, they have more talent, more depth and more athleticism than at any other point in Spurrier’s tenure. If they struggle again this season it can’t be blamed on a lack of ability on their part.
One guy not in the mix right now is Kevin Young, who is still recovering from major surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered during the spring.
The coaches continue to call Moe Brown’s number on the deep passes. He has clearly demonstrated the ability to get a step or two on the defense, but he and the quarterbacks have not been able to hit one just yet. You get the feeling he just needs to catch a couple in the games to really take his confidence to the next high level.
- Time is running out. Get The Side Line for free. No charge.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com.
This post was edited on 8/8 8:21 AM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 8/11 12:05 PM by Brian Shoemaker
