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*** The fact that South Carolina now has Marshawn Lloyd in the fold caused some questions as to whether or now the Gamecocks’ status with long-time running back target Tank Bigsby would be affected. We have said multiple times that despite USC’s favorable standing with Bigsby, that the recruitment would not be done until it’s done.
That said, there’s no reason to believe that landing Lloyd has had a negative impact on the Gamecocks and Bigsby. He’s slated to be in town yet again this weekend, this time for his official visit. Of course, everyone noticed when Bigsby reached out to Lloyd via social media shortly after Lloyd dropped the video announcing his commitment. Most top-flight programs nowadays have a couple very talented backs capable of sharing the load.
Bigsby has always eyed a decision no later than the summer before his senior year, and there have continued to be positive indications as to USC’s chances. Perhaps the question here does not need to be whether or not Lloyd hurts, but how much his presence could make the situation in Columbia even more attractive to Bigsby.
*** To double back to Lloyd, his talent is pretty evident just turning on the film. Everyone we have talked with since his pledge on Monday has raved about his game, even folks we didn’t expect to hear from about him.
During one conversation on Tuesday, I spoke with a source whose 7-on-7 team played against Lloyd last summer.
“South Carolina is getting a dog,” he said.
Lloyd showed, in that setting, that quick-twitch ability and speed that has been noted in camp and on-field clips that have been circulating. He lined up against Power 5 corners as a receiver and worked them. He even played defensive back.
“He’s the total package,” the source said.
*** Former offensive line commitment Javion Cohen is a prospect that saw interest dramatically rise once he jumped in the boat with the Gamecocks earlier this year. That prompted him to reopen his process in favor of taking more visit.
Cohen’s frequently mentioned staying close to home, and that seems to be a primary reason that Auburn has made a dramatic ascension for him. The Tigers are the the frontrunner now, and the expectation is that Cohen could drop in the coming days with a verbal. Auburn’s 40 minutes from home and despite questions about Gus Malzahn’s job security (that seem quite valid), that appears to be the next move. We’d anticipate South Carolina to continue communicating here, but there are also several other linemen on the board.
*** One priority target that, despite his four-star ranking, has not drawn as much attention in Gamecock recruiting circles in Josh Braun. He’ll be in town for an official visit this weekend, and an important one. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina appear to be the main players, with the Dawgs and Gamecocks thought of as the top two.
Braun’s family has produced a pair of Division I linemen already, with Parker Braun having transferred to Texas from Georgia Tech in the offseason. Josh is the next, and the family certainly has plenty of experience with the recruiting process and pays attention to happenings with programs around college football. South Carolina has plenty to sell and will give its best shot this weekend to see if it can beat out Georgia.
*** Florida’s Kobe Baynes was a later arrival to the Gamecocks’ board, but nonetheless a player that the staff likes a lot. He took an official visit earlier this year and appears to be inching closer to making a choice. He’d be a take for the staff, should he decide to drop at some point in the near future.
*** Issiah Walker, of course, makes his official visit this weekend as well. It’s an important one, as is every trip he takes, since he’s continuing visiting and communicating with other schools. Walker’s mother will join him on this latest trip to Columbia.
*** Virginia offensive lineman Vershon Lee is going to be making his official visit to USC not this weekend, but the next.
*** For the third time this year, Florida’s Dominick Hill is heading to South Carolina’s campus, this time for his official visit this weekend.
USC’s in the best position for the talented defensive back, who has said lately that he wants to make his choice sooner than later. In doing some checking, there’s no firm date set for Hill to announce. Yet it’s going to be hard for anyone to beat out the Gamecocks here. Missouri is slated for an official visit in June, and Hill has previously mentioned the possibility of committing at that month’s end. Will he accelerate that timeframe even more?
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