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*** Rivals.com recently profiled four-star defensive back Keenan Nelson Jr. following a camp this weekend. As we have noted, Nelson Jr. is slated to be in Columbia the weekend of June 25 for an official visit, and he also has one on the books to Penn State.
Those two, in addition to Notre Dame, are seen as the strongest contenders for his services. Secondary coach Torrian Gray has done good work here, with this summer’s in-person visit looming large as a critical factor as to whether or not the Gamecocks can make a huge splash in the Northeast with Nelson Jr.
*** The Carolina staff dispensed some new offers of interest from the 2023 class recently. The group includes Charlotte (North Carolina) Providence Day defensive back Chris Peal, Louisiana linebacker Tackett Curtis, and Alabama linebacker Karmelo Overton.
Another 2022 offer to a running back was also recently handed out, that being to Louisiana running back Dylan Sampson. Texas DB Peyton Williams also garnered a new Gamecock scholarship out of the ’22 class.
*** Mississippi defensive tackle Aaron Bryant is a prospect we recently profiled in highlighting his interest in the South Carolina program and relationship with assistant Jimmy Lindsey.
The competition here is stiff, reinforced by the fact that Bryant released a top ten a few days ago consisting of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas, and Texas A&M, a cut that South Carolina also made.
The staff will continue working Bryant in hopes of garnering an official visit at some point, whether this summer or this season.
*** Let’s quickly zoom out and take a look at South Carolina’s current summer official visit slate, which is currently concentrated on two big weekends with some top-flight targets scheduled to be in town.
June 11
OL Ryan Brubaker
RB Jaylon Glover
WR Peter Kikwata
OL Grayson Mains (current commitment)
WR CJ Smith
*** It’s also possible, but not yet confirmed, that Texas DB Kyron Chambers will be in this weekend.
June 25
TE Oscar Delp
DB Chris Graves
DL Nick James
DB Keenan Nelson Jr.
DB D’Arco Perkins-McAllister
*** We have written in this space previously that Torrian Gray’s early jump and existing relationship with in-state defensive back Jeadyn Lukus could give the Gamecocks a puncher’s chance.
South Carolina is obviously playing catch-up here, with Clemson, North Carolina, Ohio State, and potentially some others all ahead at the time of Shane Beamer’s hire. Gray was the first to offer Lukus as an assistant at Florida and holds the respect and trust of Lukus and influential voices around him.
We are told that prior to rendering a choice that Lukus is firmly in the camp of wanting to make some in-person visits to some schools on his list. He’s been to Columbia previously, but not under the current regime’s management. We’re keeping an eye on the possibility of Lukus making a return this summer.
*** Any follow-up questions or something I didn't address that you'd like me to address? Let me know.
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