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Despite the loss to Georgia on Saturday, Williams-Brice Stadium was still host to a large group of visitors from the 2019 class and beyond.
While the Gamecocks' result on the field was disappointing, the returns we have received from visitors both from the '19 class as well as underclassmen have been favorable.
Breaking things down in further detail here...
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One of the most important visits over the weekend was from a guy who could fill a positional need in the immediate class: Florida offensive lineman Darius Washington. As planned, the Mississippi State commitment made his official visit to Columbia over the weekend. He was joined by his parents, and the crew attended the game, took the tours, got a closer look at the academics, and had face time with the coaches.
It was a key visit to USC sustaining position with Washington, as it was his very first trip to South Carolina to check things out. We haven't caught up with Washington, but we've dug some digging behind the scenes and the feel is that USC's in this one. Washington has official visits remaining this season to Mississippi State and Miami and he'll sit down and try to finalize his choice after those trips.
Another '19 cycle target was also on hand in Georgia's Jammie Robinson, who said it was a "fun" trip with a "great environment.” Robinson, who's been a fixture on USC's campus all year, is someone that is still one of the safer bets to ultimately land in USC's class.
Florida defensive tackle Jaquaze Sorrells also made it to Columbia, taking his first trip since delaying his originally scheduled August 27 decision date. Sorrells did that in response to a desire to extend the process and take some more visits. Alabama and South Carolina appear to be the two main programs doing battle here, though Sorrells has said little behind the scenes. My understanding is that he's someone who can be difficult to read.
Rivals100 member Cartavious Bigsby also made it in, as well as North Carolina safety JR Walker. Big-time 2021 quarterback Aaron McLaughlin out of Georgia also made the trip and posted to social media that, despite the loss, the atmosphere "did not disappoint" and that it was an "awesome" trip. McLaughlin has been to Columbia on numerous occasions and appears to be under legitimate consideration here.
In-state 2020 defensive linemen Jordan Burch and Alex Huntley made the trip from Hammond, as did junior defensive back Jalen Huff out of Georgia. Likewise for junior defensive lineman Jacolbe Cowan out of North Carolina. North Carolina four-star wide receiver Ray Grier, Georgia defensive back Brian Branch, and 2022 in-state running back Nemo Squire out of Dillon were also on hand. Squire is already someone the staff is showing ample early interest in; he's been on campus for both home games this season and the staff has talked with him.
McLaughlin's teammate at Buford, 2020 offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin, picked up an offer very early in the process from the Gamecocks. He said that Williams-Brice Stadium featured an "electric" atmosphere and that he had a great time. He spoke pre-game with Eric Wolford as well. McLaughlin has a trip booked this coming weekend to check out Auburn.
The Gamecocks had a pair of notable prospects out of Brentwood Academy in Nashville on campus in 2021 offensive tackle Eli Sutton and 2020 linebacker Devyn Curtis. The latter said the atmosphere was "amazing" and that USC's progress on the new football operations center really stuck out to him. Both spoke with Bobby Bentley prior to the game.
Another 2021 prospect, Charlotte's Will Shipley, also made the short journey down I-77 to check out the Gamecocks again. He plays running back and slot receiver for his high school as well as special teams and could factor in at a variety of positions in the future. He spoke with area recruiter Bobby Bentley prior to the game, and Bentley told him they've watched his film from early this season. The sophomore picked up his Gamecock offer after a big performance in summer camp. Shipley isn't naming leaders right now, but we hear that South Carolina and NC State are in favorable position very early.
USC played host to a large group of underclassmen from Florida who traveled together, among them 2020 wide receiver Xavier McGriff and 2020 five-star defensive back Fred Davis.
I learned recently that Davis and his father actually made a visit to South Carolina for a game last season, and Davis' father was also on this trip. Both Davis and the aforementioned McGriff spoke with head coach Will Muschamp prior to the game. Davis is someone who has mentioned an affinity for defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson in the past, and South Carolina could continue moving up his list as time goes on.
A few of the notable visitors on the initial list did not make it into town. Quavaris Crouch was at NC State watching his brother play for the Wolfpack. Georgia Rivals100 member Zykeivous Walker likewise did not make the trip, but we're told he's looking to get to Columbia at some point this season. Georgia wideout Ze'Vian Capers said he did not make the trip because he did not RSVP and also had to get his wrist checked out after sustaining a minor injury in his game that past Friday.
USC hosted Rivals100 defensive end Desmond Evans for another visit; he told us that South Carolina was one of the loudest games he's ever been to. It looks like Evans is one of USC's priorities in the 2020 class at this point.
Another North Carolina product, Kedrick Bingley-Jones, made an early commitment to Florida this year that was somewhat surprising in its timing. He said a lot around that timing about being totally solid, but he's continued communicating with coaches and taking visits. USC was the recipient of one for the Georgia game from Bingley-Jones.
He told me after the trip that South Carolina's staff is one that has remained in talks with him along with Clemson, Duke, Oregon, and Tennessee, and confirmed that he is still considering South Carolina.
A pair of 2021 offensive linemen who have long been on Eric Wolford's radar were also on hand out of Georgia in Micah Morris and Weston Franklin.
Morris has already been to USC several times, including a camp workout over the summer.
"It was great," he said. "I really liked the environment at the stadium and the crowd really seemed to be into it. I met a few of the coaches and they just told me to keep working and that they would love to have me at South Carolina."
Franklin spoke with Wolford before the game and really likes the job that the two-time Gamecock assistant is doing with the front five on offense. He said the hospitality in Columbia was what stood out about this particular trip.
Franklin hopes to also make trips to Clemson, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi State, and Notre Dame.
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