Insider Report August 5
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
Central (S.C.) three-star tight end and USC commitment Justice Cunningham weighed over 255 pounds last time he was on campus. Some close to the program believe he’s on pace to grow into an interior defensive lineman and those same sources believe that’s his best position at the college level. With that said, look for Carolina to try to bring in another tight end in this class.
Speaking of getting bigger, fellow Carolina commitment Aldrick Fordham is up over 6-foot-4 and close to 240 pounds. He is a candidate to move up in the rankings with a big senior season.
Most of you have probably noticed that five of the commitments are currently rated at two stars. Not coincidentally, Rivals doesn’t have film on any of those guys. While I can’t guarantee you that any of their ratings will change once we receive their film, I’m pretty confident at least a couple will make the jump to three stars.
Winder (Ga.) Apalachee three-star linebacker Chaun Gresham is the player I began mentioning earlier this summer as a candidate to switch his commitment from another school to Carolina. That possibility still exists with Gresham, who is currently committed to Georgia Tech.
For those that don’t know, his mom is George Rogers’ sister, and Georgia Tech’s coaches have convinced her that it’s not a good idea for him to follow in Rogers’ footsteps. Getting mom on board is the final obstacle toward getting him on board with the Gamecocks.
Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep three-star safety Artice Kellam was offered by Carolina back in the spring, but they have since backed off of him.
Team Information
While I think C.C. Whitlock has some qualities of a great punt returner in terms of his speed and elusiveness, I question whether he would be dependable enough fielding punts to be counted on this year.
Stoney Woodson has impressed me during each practice. He’s floating under the radar a bit right now, but I think he’s a candidate to have a surprise year. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if he was the starter opposite Captain Munnerlyn in the season opener.
As things stand today, it’s going to be very difficult for Carolina to redshirt Travian Robertson. There just isn’t enough depth at defensive end right now. The more likely candidate on the defensive front to redshirt is Melvin Ingram, depending on how quickly he heals and how he performs once healthy.
Ryan Succop is kicking the ball beautifully in practice. If Spencer Lanning or Ryan Doerr can handle the punting duties, I look for Succop to have an All-SEC type season as a kicker.
If you haven't read the important message from Shoe, please do so now. Click here. Thanks.
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 8/5 9:32 AM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 8/7 8:09 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
Central (S.C.) three-star tight end and USC commitment Justice Cunningham weighed over 255 pounds last time he was on campus. Some close to the program believe he’s on pace to grow into an interior defensive lineman and those same sources believe that’s his best position at the college level. With that said, look for Carolina to try to bring in another tight end in this class.
Speaking of getting bigger, fellow Carolina commitment Aldrick Fordham is up over 6-foot-4 and close to 240 pounds. He is a candidate to move up in the rankings with a big senior season.
Most of you have probably noticed that five of the commitments are currently rated at two stars. Not coincidentally, Rivals doesn’t have film on any of those guys. While I can’t guarantee you that any of their ratings will change once we receive their film, I’m pretty confident at least a couple will make the jump to three stars.
Winder (Ga.) Apalachee three-star linebacker Chaun Gresham is the player I began mentioning earlier this summer as a candidate to switch his commitment from another school to Carolina. That possibility still exists with Gresham, who is currently committed to Georgia Tech.
For those that don’t know, his mom is George Rogers’ sister, and Georgia Tech’s coaches have convinced her that it’s not a good idea for him to follow in Rogers’ footsteps. Getting mom on board is the final obstacle toward getting him on board with the Gamecocks.
Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep three-star safety Artice Kellam was offered by Carolina back in the spring, but they have since backed off of him.
Team Information
While I think C.C. Whitlock has some qualities of a great punt returner in terms of his speed and elusiveness, I question whether he would be dependable enough fielding punts to be counted on this year.
Stoney Woodson has impressed me during each practice. He’s floating under the radar a bit right now, but I think he’s a candidate to have a surprise year. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if he was the starter opposite Captain Munnerlyn in the season opener.
As things stand today, it’s going to be very difficult for Carolina to redshirt Travian Robertson. There just isn’t enough depth at defensive end right now. The more likely candidate on the defensive front to redshirt is Melvin Ingram, depending on how quickly he heals and how he performs once healthy.
Ryan Succop is kicking the ball beautifully in practice. If Spencer Lanning or Ryan Doerr can handle the punting duties, I look for Succop to have an All-SEC type season as a kicker.
If you haven't read the important message from Shoe, please do so now. Click here. Thanks.
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 8/5 9:32 AM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 8/7 8:09 PM by Brian Shoemaker
