CornerstoneColumbia.com
*** South Carolina’s coaching staff once again hosted four-star running back Tank Bigsby for an unofficial visit over the weekend, with Bigsby electing to stay overnight into Sunday.
We have not yet reached the Peach State product for a follow-up interview as we did the last time he was in Columbia, but in speaking with sources, there still appears to be a high level of confidence that South Carolina remains in a strong position. Will Muschamp and his staff have made Bigsby a clear priority from the outset, and the transition from Bobby Bentley to Thomas Brown in taking the lead reins of the recruitment has gone smoothly. The opportunity for early playing time at South Carolina is another driving force, given that the Gamecocks have three senior running backs coming off the books after the 2019 season.’
Bigsby’s plan has been to render a decision no later than July, with a possibility of taking some spring/summer official visits to several suitors for the projected early enrollee. South Carolina’s a certainty to get one of those trips. Auburn and Georgia are two others to watch in terms of getting official visits, and that undoubtedly means that the Gamecocks will end up with a fight on their hands, one way or another. The NCAA permits early official visits from April 1 through the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June.
*** One prospect we will be keeping a close eye on in the next few months is in-state linebacker Darryle Ware out of Fort Dorchester.
Ware only has an offer from Coastal Carolina at this point, but several Power 5 programs are due to stop by his school during the spring evaluation period this year to get another look and make a decision on an offer. South Carolina, which also hosted him for an unofficial visit this weekend, is one of them.
The Lowcountry product, who had over 100 tackles last season, got a lot of face time with the USC coaching staff on Saturday, spending most of the day with linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler and getting a chance to speak with Will Muschamp in his office. The Gamecock staff feels Ware has pass coverage and run-stopping ability.
We will continue to monitor this one, but needless to say, a Gamecock offer would be huge for Ware. It’s his dream school.
*** Recently offered 2021 wide receiver James Blackstrain out of Florida counts the Gamecocks as one of his early favorites despite not having visited yet.
The 6-foot-2, 165-pounder told GamecockCentral.com that USC is one of the programs he hopes to see in person this spring or summer.
*** It looks like the Gamecocks made a pretty substantial impression on Alabama athlete Damarcus Beckwith over the weekend. The 6-foot-5 athlete could play numerous spots in college, but he wants to play offense and USC has offered him as an athlete.
He spent time sitting with recruiter/potential position coach Bobby Bentley and OC Bryan McClendon at the basketball game and gave a positive review for the entire trip. He, along with Tennessee’s Reggie Grimes (who could also play on defense, of course) and John Copenhaver, are three prospects we hear the Gamecock staff likes at the position.
Make sure you check out our other recruiting-related content from over the weekend:
- Gamecocks make impression on Georgia DB David Daniel
- Jaheim Bell likes Gamecocks' plan for him
- Jack Hollifield loves trip to South Carolina
- Alabama athlete checks out South Carolina for first time
- The latest on Michael Wyman
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