Team Notes
To me, the news from Eric Wolford after practice last night that Jarriel King would be staying on the offensive line was not that surprising. As I mentioned yesterday, you have to remember that King has been the starter for USC at left tackle and is still one of the top rotation guys for Wolford. While USC would consider playing him or Lemuel Jeanpierre in emergency situations at DT (as Wolford said last night), the Gamecocks still need to improve on the OL and King can be part of the equation there.
Speaking of the offensive line, the effort there has been great thus far. They have not been perfect and there are still mistakes, but Wolford has put his stamp on this group and they are in good hands with him. I really think this is a group that has a chance to progress instead of regress throughout the year.
I’ve been very impressed with Kenny Miles thus far this season. He’s a guy that does a lot of different things well. He runs very hard and can make guys miss and break tackles in the secondary which is what Jay Graham really looks for in a back.
On the whole, I’ve been impressed with the maturity of some of USC’s younger players. Guys like Devin Taylor, Stephon Gilmore, Tori Gurley, T.J. Johnson, etc. have made plays throughout the course of the year that were beyond their age; some of them just little things. USC is a very young team overall but some guys have not played like it, which is a positive sign. It will only make them better in the future.
Football Recruiting
Stone Mountain (GA) Stephenson DT Mike Thornton told me yesterday that USC had a 75% chance of making his final grouping, which he still has not completely come up with yet. He really likes how loyal USC has been throughout the process, as they were one of the first teams on him. Lorenzo Ward has done a nice job with him to this point. As I've said, UGA is going to be hard to beat here as they are the in-state program and I'm told they really like him as well. USC is in the game, though. Thornton has not finalized his visit plans.
Bradenton (FL) Manatee WR Ace Sanders is a prospect still on USC's board at wide receiver. Right now, he plans on taking at least three officials. South Carolina will be one, along with West Virginia and South Florida. Purdue and Iowa are also possibilities for him. He is one that USC's staff likes, but you all aware of the number of receivers USC is taking in this class. Sanders is also interested in Georgia but they're likely not going to take him unless several other options fall through.
Greenwood (SC) has been kind to Carolina in the past, and they have a couple of sophomore prospects worth mentioning.
ATH D.J. Goodman: I've mentioned him on the board before; he visited Clemson last weekend and liked it and will likely be at a USC game sometime in the near future. South Carolina is the early leader for him.
WR Spearman Robinson: 6-foot-3, 185-pound pass-catcher has good size and potential. He is planning seeing the Gamecocks in action when they play Florida in November; USC is aware of him and he is also high on the Gamecocks. He's been injured part of this season but should be back next week.
I told you over the summer about a QB that camped at USC named Eddie Printz from Lassiter High in Marietta. It's still super-early but he's got a chance to be a good one. He's played JV this season (just a freshman, 2013 prospect) and put up 830 yards and 10 pass TDs in three games. I hear he plans on being at the Kentucky in a few weeks. Super-early, South Carolina is the team to beat for him.
Forgot to mention this last night: There was a rumor going around about Byrnes DE Corey Miller being at the Ole Miss game. That was not true; he was not there.
Denmark-Olar DE Kendrick Frazier did not get to make it Columbia for the Ole Miss game, but watched it on TV. He told me that he loved the way the defense flew around and made plays. He is about 80% sure that he is going to be in Columbia this Saturday for the SC State game. He has lately been claiming no leader, though USC is in excellent shape with him.
The Gamecocks have the early lead for Seneca (SC) OL Casey Baldwin from the Class of 2011. Early on, the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is hearing from USC, Clemson, NC State, and Notre Dame. He has not been to a game yet at South Carolina but is tentatively planning on going to the Vanderbilt game and when the Gamecocks play Clemson. He will also trip to Alabama to see them play Carolina and has been to every Clemson home game. He does not have any offers yet.
Some of you have asked when South Carolina could get the next commitment, and it could be this weekend. Recently offered punter Patrick Fish will be in town for an official visit, and if all goes well he could end his recruitment at the conclusion.
Lexington (SC) sophomore standout Shaq Roland is tentatively planning on being at the game this weekend. He was unable to make it last Thursday but watched it on TV and thought the defense looked good. We'll have a more complete list of potential visitors later in the week.
Columbus (GA) Carver DE Brandon Smith plans on setting an official visit to South Carolina. He is hoping to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse soon, and afterwards will go about setting his visits. Southern Miss, Auburn, Tennessee, and Miami will also get visits. He loves the idea of playing in the SEC and has a lot of respect for recruiter Lorenzo Ward so USC has a chance with him. A full interview will be up soon.
Basketball Recruiting
Charlotte (NC) Vance PG Marquis Rankin is one of USC's top targets for the Class of 2011. The junior reportedly has USC in his top three along with Wake Forest and North Carolina. As of today USC has a good shot with him, but it might be a battle because he's going to have lots of programs coming after him. Ryan has heard that Rankin likes recruiter Mike Boynton, but his parents really love him which can't hurt USC's chances.
To me, the news from Eric Wolford after practice last night that Jarriel King would be staying on the offensive line was not that surprising. As I mentioned yesterday, you have to remember that King has been the starter for USC at left tackle and is still one of the top rotation guys for Wolford. While USC would consider playing him or Lemuel Jeanpierre in emergency situations at DT (as Wolford said last night), the Gamecocks still need to improve on the OL and King can be part of the equation there.
Speaking of the offensive line, the effort there has been great thus far. They have not been perfect and there are still mistakes, but Wolford has put his stamp on this group and they are in good hands with him. I really think this is a group that has a chance to progress instead of regress throughout the year.
I’ve been very impressed with Kenny Miles thus far this season. He’s a guy that does a lot of different things well. He runs very hard and can make guys miss and break tackles in the secondary which is what Jay Graham really looks for in a back.
On the whole, I’ve been impressed with the maturity of some of USC’s younger players. Guys like Devin Taylor, Stephon Gilmore, Tori Gurley, T.J. Johnson, etc. have made plays throughout the course of the year that were beyond their age; some of them just little things. USC is a very young team overall but some guys have not played like it, which is a positive sign. It will only make them better in the future.
Football Recruiting
Stone Mountain (GA) Stephenson DT Mike Thornton told me yesterday that USC had a 75% chance of making his final grouping, which he still has not completely come up with yet. He really likes how loyal USC has been throughout the process, as they were one of the first teams on him. Lorenzo Ward has done a nice job with him to this point. As I've said, UGA is going to be hard to beat here as they are the in-state program and I'm told they really like him as well. USC is in the game, though. Thornton has not finalized his visit plans.
Bradenton (FL) Manatee WR Ace Sanders is a prospect still on USC's board at wide receiver. Right now, he plans on taking at least three officials. South Carolina will be one, along with West Virginia and South Florida. Purdue and Iowa are also possibilities for him. He is one that USC's staff likes, but you all aware of the number of receivers USC is taking in this class. Sanders is also interested in Georgia but they're likely not going to take him unless several other options fall through.
Greenwood (SC) has been kind to Carolina in the past, and they have a couple of sophomore prospects worth mentioning.
ATH D.J. Goodman: I've mentioned him on the board before; he visited Clemson last weekend and liked it and will likely be at a USC game sometime in the near future. South Carolina is the early leader for him.
WR Spearman Robinson: 6-foot-3, 185-pound pass-catcher has good size and potential. He is planning seeing the Gamecocks in action when they play Florida in November; USC is aware of him and he is also high on the Gamecocks. He's been injured part of this season but should be back next week.
I told you over the summer about a QB that camped at USC named Eddie Printz from Lassiter High in Marietta. It's still super-early but he's got a chance to be a good one. He's played JV this season (just a freshman, 2013 prospect) and put up 830 yards and 10 pass TDs in three games. I hear he plans on being at the Kentucky in a few weeks. Super-early, South Carolina is the team to beat for him.
Forgot to mention this last night: There was a rumor going around about Byrnes DE Corey Miller being at the Ole Miss game. That was not true; he was not there.
Denmark-Olar DE Kendrick Frazier did not get to make it Columbia for the Ole Miss game, but watched it on TV. He told me that he loved the way the defense flew around and made plays. He is about 80% sure that he is going to be in Columbia this Saturday for the SC State game. He has lately been claiming no leader, though USC is in excellent shape with him.
The Gamecocks have the early lead for Seneca (SC) OL Casey Baldwin from the Class of 2011. Early on, the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is hearing from USC, Clemson, NC State, and Notre Dame. He has not been to a game yet at South Carolina but is tentatively planning on going to the Vanderbilt game and when the Gamecocks play Clemson. He will also trip to Alabama to see them play Carolina and has been to every Clemson home game. He does not have any offers yet.
Some of you have asked when South Carolina could get the next commitment, and it could be this weekend. Recently offered punter Patrick Fish will be in town for an official visit, and if all goes well he could end his recruitment at the conclusion.
Lexington (SC) sophomore standout Shaq Roland is tentatively planning on being at the game this weekend. He was unable to make it last Thursday but watched it on TV and thought the defense looked good. We'll have a more complete list of potential visitors later in the week.
Columbus (GA) Carver DE Brandon Smith plans on setting an official visit to South Carolina. He is hoping to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse soon, and afterwards will go about setting his visits. Southern Miss, Auburn, Tennessee, and Miami will also get visits. He loves the idea of playing in the SEC and has a lot of respect for recruiter Lorenzo Ward so USC has a chance with him. A full interview will be up soon.
Basketball Recruiting
Charlotte (NC) Vance PG Marquis Rankin is one of USC's top targets for the Class of 2011. The junior reportedly has USC in his top three along with Wake Forest and North Carolina. As of today USC has a good shot with him, but it might be a battle because he's going to have lots of programs coming after him. Ryan has heard that Rankin likes recruiter Mike Boynton, but his parents really love him which can't hurt USC's chances.
