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*** One of the edge prospects that the South Carolina staff has prioritized in the 2021 class is Maryland’s Mattheus Carroll, who has a top 10 of Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Duke, Temple, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Vanderbilt, and the Gamecocks.
Carroll had hoped to stop in Columbia prior to making his choice, but given that he and his family would like to decide in about a month, it may not happen. Duke, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Temple are the schools within Carroll’s top 10 that he’s seen in person on past visits.
The natural inclination is to think that those programs that have not had an in-person visit may be ruled out, but Carroll has told GamecockCentral.com that he “absolutely” is open to choosing a program he hasn’t personally visited under these unique circumstances.
Carroll’s has participated in several of the “virtual visits” that have been so popular during the recruiting quarantine. The Carolina staff’s approach, with Kyle Krantz’s consistent communication, and level of care has really stood out to Carroll.
*** By the way, we’ve had some questions on these virtual visits that college staffs have been performing during the in-person recruiting shutdown, and so we picked up some details on what prospects have been seeing during them.
The experiences have ranged from edited, “highlight” style videos to FaceTime calls with coaches riding or walking around showing prospects and their families different aspects of the program or campus.
For South Carolina, our understanding is Will Muschamp was featured on such a video production recently, one that was disseminated to prospects in which he was showing off the Ken and Cyndi Long Family Football Operations Center.
*** A name to file away from the Upstate in the 2023 class is that of Dorman’s DJ Porter, who’s shown early flashes at both quarterback and wide receiver.
He’s likely a wideout at the next level, and Arkansas has extended an early offer. While most Dorman prospects have seemed ticketed for Clemson over the Gamecocks from a historical perspective, it is noteworthy that Porter grew up a South Carolina fan.
Once things open up on the visit front, expect Porter in town for a trip. South Carolina’s interest level may pick up appropriately in the coming weeks.
*** Finally, a bit more here on edge-rusher Zaire Patterson out of North Carolina, who projects to announce his college choice on May 26.
Last Thursday, we dropped the news that North Carolina was not as solid as some thought going in as far as positioning and that some surrounding the recruitment believed Clemson and South Carolina to be the main two vying for Patterson’s services.
That notion has become even stronger over the last few days. Beyond that, it’s still a tough call. LSU extended an offer to Patterson on Monday, but there aren’t any indications that it will have a significant effect on his recruitment at this stage.
South Carolina has the edge in known visits over Clemson, having drawn Patterson at least three times prior to the 2019 season alone. He took in Carolina’s spring game last year, then was back working out with potential position coach Mike Peterson at Will Muschamp Football Camp. Still, the Tigers are a common thread when it comes to assessing the contenders behind the scenes for Patterson, and there could be a good reason for that.
We’ll keep our subscribers posted, should we hear more in the coming days.
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