There are some developments to report with four-star defensive tackle prospect Rick Sandidge in terms of his official visit schedule. The long-time target scrapped a previously scheduled official visit to Michigan this weekend in favor of another unofficial visit to Columbia for the Clemson game.
Sandidge is notorious for not saying much in interviews with media pertaining to his recruitment, but did allow us a window into changes in his visit slate following his trip to Columbia. The new plan, which I’ve confirmed outside of my conversation with Sandidge, is for him to make official visits at some point to Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Those changes are notable because originally, front-runners Georgia and South Carolina were not planned official visit stops; Sandidge was going to reserve those for some places a greater distance from his home. Our estimation, along with those tied into Sandidge’s recruitment, was that it would not have had a sizable effect on USC’s chances regardless. Yet it’s always a positive to get a major target on campus for an official visit to highlight (or in Sandidge’s case, continue to highlight) the positives of him attending your school. USC defensive line coach Lance Thompson and running backs coach Bobby Bentley hit the road to visit with Sandidge last night.
We mentioned in a recent Insider Report that South Carolina’s plan is to front-load signings this cycle, meaning the staff would like to lock up as many desired commitments and targets as possible during the new NCAA early signing period from December 20-22. Sandidge, as things stand, plans to be a part of the crop that waits until the first Wednesday in February 2018. That, of course, is also subject to change based on how his recruitment plays out going forward. South Carolina remains in the best shape here.
Another major target planning to wait until the February signing date to put pen to paper is four-star Georgia defensive back Jaycee Horn. Right on the heels of another visit to South Carolina on Saturday, Horn backed off his Tennessee pledge publicly. The move, which also happened to come on Horn’s birthday, was hardly unexpected. South Carolina has long posed the biggest threat, and our understanding is that this weekend only served to reinforce that the Gamecocks are in a stellar spot with the talented defensive back.
Former Vol commitment Dorian Gerald, who will make an official visit to USC in January, was also on hand this weekend for an unofficial visit. The stance here remains the same; he’s certainly a target we’re tracking for the Gamecocks. Yet we don’t expect any sort of finality until after the December signing period and after Gerald's official visit.
Former Virginia Tech commitment Bryce Thompson will star for Dutch Fork this weekend inside Williams-Brice as the Silver Foxes compete for another state championship on Saturday. We stated multiple times earlier this year that there would not be a resolution with Thompson and USC until late this year, at a minimum. That time is approaching, but there’s still no final word. USC’s numbers are tight and Thompson’s had some academic work to improve upon. We can report that he’s made strides in that category, but it’s still a waiting game. For now, know that he’s someone we’re continuing to track for USC.
A pair of four-star targets for USC opted to take trips to Auburn this weekend to take in the Iron Bowl match up against Alabama, which ended up being a signature victory to propel the Tigers to the SEC Championship Game.
Auburn has been up and down with Columbia product Channing Tindall, with Spring Valley alumnus Travis Williams handling his recruitment for the Tigers. South Carolina’s been the one constant in his recruitment, with a revolving door of other SEC programs (Auburn, Florida, and Georgia) challenging to various degrees at different points. As we’ve stated, Georgia has represented USC’s biggest competition to date, and has seemed to hold the edge at times. Tindall has gone back and forth both publicly and privately, and our information points to his slate of official visits in ultimately making the difference in the final pick. We have not gained any detailed insight into his trip this weekend, but would not expect things to be over one way or another until he completes his slate. Georgia and South Carolina, at a minimum, will get officials. Florida has been in the mix but just made a coaching change in tabbing Dan Mullen; what happens with the staff there could dictate whether or not Tindall gives the Gators a second look.
Offensive tackle Dylan Wonnum likewise was in Auburn, and the Tigers have been cited publicly by the Rivals100 member as a program of interest. Last we heard, there was certainly more working in South Carolina’s favor with the younger brother of current BUCK linebacker DJ Wonnum.
Four-star offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn was also in Columbia over the weekend. Right now, we hear his focus is on his high school team rather than hashing out any important final recruiting decisions. A slate of official visits should be forthcoming, and the Gamecocks should be in line to get one. NC State has been the odds-on favorite as of late, but we’re always cautioned that nothing’s done with him until the end of the process.
Sandidge is notorious for not saying much in interviews with media pertaining to his recruitment, but did allow us a window into changes in his visit slate following his trip to Columbia. The new plan, which I’ve confirmed outside of my conversation with Sandidge, is for him to make official visits at some point to Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Those changes are notable because originally, front-runners Georgia and South Carolina were not planned official visit stops; Sandidge was going to reserve those for some places a greater distance from his home. Our estimation, along with those tied into Sandidge’s recruitment, was that it would not have had a sizable effect on USC’s chances regardless. Yet it’s always a positive to get a major target on campus for an official visit to highlight (or in Sandidge’s case, continue to highlight) the positives of him attending your school. USC defensive line coach Lance Thompson and running backs coach Bobby Bentley hit the road to visit with Sandidge last night.
We mentioned in a recent Insider Report that South Carolina’s plan is to front-load signings this cycle, meaning the staff would like to lock up as many desired commitments and targets as possible during the new NCAA early signing period from December 20-22. Sandidge, as things stand, plans to be a part of the crop that waits until the first Wednesday in February 2018. That, of course, is also subject to change based on how his recruitment plays out going forward. South Carolina remains in the best shape here.
Another major target planning to wait until the February signing date to put pen to paper is four-star Georgia defensive back Jaycee Horn. Right on the heels of another visit to South Carolina on Saturday, Horn backed off his Tennessee pledge publicly. The move, which also happened to come on Horn’s birthday, was hardly unexpected. South Carolina has long posed the biggest threat, and our understanding is that this weekend only served to reinforce that the Gamecocks are in a stellar spot with the talented defensive back.
Former Vol commitment Dorian Gerald, who will make an official visit to USC in January, was also on hand this weekend for an unofficial visit. The stance here remains the same; he’s certainly a target we’re tracking for the Gamecocks. Yet we don’t expect any sort of finality until after the December signing period and after Gerald's official visit.
Former Virginia Tech commitment Bryce Thompson will star for Dutch Fork this weekend inside Williams-Brice as the Silver Foxes compete for another state championship on Saturday. We stated multiple times earlier this year that there would not be a resolution with Thompson and USC until late this year, at a minimum. That time is approaching, but there’s still no final word. USC’s numbers are tight and Thompson’s had some academic work to improve upon. We can report that he’s made strides in that category, but it’s still a waiting game. For now, know that he’s someone we’re continuing to track for USC.
A pair of four-star targets for USC opted to take trips to Auburn this weekend to take in the Iron Bowl match up against Alabama, which ended up being a signature victory to propel the Tigers to the SEC Championship Game.
Auburn has been up and down with Columbia product Channing Tindall, with Spring Valley alumnus Travis Williams handling his recruitment for the Tigers. South Carolina’s been the one constant in his recruitment, with a revolving door of other SEC programs (Auburn, Florida, and Georgia) challenging to various degrees at different points. As we’ve stated, Georgia has represented USC’s biggest competition to date, and has seemed to hold the edge at times. Tindall has gone back and forth both publicly and privately, and our information points to his slate of official visits in ultimately making the difference in the final pick. We have not gained any detailed insight into his trip this weekend, but would not expect things to be over one way or another until he completes his slate. Georgia and South Carolina, at a minimum, will get officials. Florida has been in the mix but just made a coaching change in tabbing Dan Mullen; what happens with the staff there could dictate whether or not Tindall gives the Gators a second look.
Offensive tackle Dylan Wonnum likewise was in Auburn, and the Tigers have been cited publicly by the Rivals100 member as a program of interest. Last we heard, there was certainly more working in South Carolina’s favor with the younger brother of current BUCK linebacker DJ Wonnum.
Four-star offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn was also in Columbia over the weekend. Right now, we hear his focus is on his high school team rather than hashing out any important final recruiting decisions. A slate of official visits should be forthcoming, and the Gamecocks should be in line to get one. NC State has been the odds-on favorite as of late, but we’re always cautioned that nothing’s done with him until the end of the process.
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