Insider Report September 18th
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Recruiting tidbits
Pompano Beach (Fla.) three-star defensive end/linebacker Antwon Higgs will take his official visit to Carolina next weekend for the game with UAB, and a commitment is very possible if things go as planned. He has been a lean to Carolina for some time, and he is a lot like current Gamecock Eric Norwood was at the same stage of his career.
Of the five official visitors scheduled to come in the next two weeks, I think Carolina is more likely to land commitments from Higgs and Milledgeville (Ga.) Georgia Military linebacker Josh Dickerson. I don’t see any way Carolina can take Dickerson and Tony Straughter, and I think Dickerson is the better player on film.
Some of you have expressed concern about some of the top in-state players and Carolina’s chances with them. With players like Stephon Gilmore and Chris Bonds, it’s going to come down to what kind of season the Gamecocks ultimately have. If they have a mediocre season or worse, they won’t land them. If they rebound and finish strongly, they have a much better shot to pull them in. With Sam Montgomery, I have no idea where he’s leaning or where he’s likely headed.
Team Information
I think the move Emanuel Cook to the spur position for the Wofford game is a good one and will put him in position to make a ton of stops, including some behind the line of scrimmage. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t lead the team in tackles in this game.
In talking with some sources, I’m starting to think the Tommy Beecher era at Carolina is over. He has been moved to the No. 3 spot, and it just doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for him to make a meaningful contribution anytime soon. The only way I could see it happening is if injuries to others forced it or is Smelley and Garcia both really struggled over an extended period of time.
The next four games on the schedule are huge, in my opinion. I believe the Gamecocks need to find a way to win all four of them to put themselves in a position to finish with a bang. The better they play the next four weeks, the more likely they are to close the season out on a high note.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com
This post was edited on 9/19 5:18 PM by Brian Shoemaker
With the start of a new football season, GamecockCentral.com is happy to announce a new feature: The Insider Report. Check back each weekday during the season for a new edition.
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Recruiting tidbits
Pompano Beach (Fla.) three-star defensive end/linebacker Antwon Higgs will take his official visit to Carolina next weekend for the game with UAB, and a commitment is very possible if things go as planned. He has been a lean to Carolina for some time, and he is a lot like current Gamecock Eric Norwood was at the same stage of his career.
Of the five official visitors scheduled to come in the next two weeks, I think Carolina is more likely to land commitments from Higgs and Milledgeville (Ga.) Georgia Military linebacker Josh Dickerson. I don’t see any way Carolina can take Dickerson and Tony Straughter, and I think Dickerson is the better player on film.
Some of you have expressed concern about some of the top in-state players and Carolina’s chances with them. With players like Stephon Gilmore and Chris Bonds, it’s going to come down to what kind of season the Gamecocks ultimately have. If they have a mediocre season or worse, they won’t land them. If they rebound and finish strongly, they have a much better shot to pull them in. With Sam Montgomery, I have no idea where he’s leaning or where he’s likely headed.
Team Information
I think the move Emanuel Cook to the spur position for the Wofford game is a good one and will put him in position to make a ton of stops, including some behind the line of scrimmage. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t lead the team in tackles in this game.
In talking with some sources, I’m starting to think the Tommy Beecher era at Carolina is over. He has been moved to the No. 3 spot, and it just doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for him to make a meaningful contribution anytime soon. The only way I could see it happening is if injuries to others forced it or is Smelley and Garcia both really struggled over an extended period of time.
The next four games on the schedule are huge, in my opinion. I believe the Gamecocks need to find a way to win all four of them to put themselves in a position to finish with a bang. The better they play the next four weeks, the more likely they are to close the season out on a high note.
If you have any news or tips you'd like to share, please send an email to recruiting@gamecockcentral.com
This post was edited on 9/19 5:18 PM by Brian Shoemaker
