Insider Report - February 4th
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Recruiting Tidbits
I know many of you are frustrated at the loss of Timberland offensive lineman Quinton Washington, and rightly so. He was a player the Carolina staff really needed and one they were counting on landing. In the end, he and his father simply felt like Michigan was the better choice. Personally, I don’t think he has any idea what he’s in store for playing for a guy like Rich Rodriquez, nor do I think he fits their offense, but he has made his bed.
With all that said, I really believe Carolina’s problems with signing a quality offensive line class will be a thing of the past starting with the class of 2010. Eric Wolford will evaluate better and will be heavily involved in the recruitment of every lineman offered, whether they’re in his area or not. I think players will be drawn to his personality and coaching style, and, in turn, I expect the Gamecocks to sign a strong class year in and year out. It won’t happen overnight, but I fully believe Wolford will get things straight.
While he’ll start his career on the defensive line, it would not surprise me at all to see Ronald Byrd eventually make the move to offensive tackle, and I think he has the tools to be very good there.
St. Matthews (S.C.) Calhoun County four-star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is supposed to announce/sign between 9:00 and 10:00 AM tomorrow morning. Rivals.com will be there to cover the event, and we’ll have live updates posted here on the Insiders Forum.
If Carolina lands Jeffery, it only strengthens their position with 2010 offensive lineman and Calhoun County teammate Eric Mack, one of the best line prospects in the Southeast. It would also give the Gamecocks the inside track to land Jeffery’s younger brother Shamir, who is also a receiver and is one of the top overall prospects in the Palmetto State’s class of 2011.
Here’s the schedule for what time some of the Carolina commitments plan to sign their LOI’s. These are, of course, subject to change:
Steve Singleton - 7:30 AM
Chaun Gresham - 9:00 AM
Kevious Watkins - 9:00-10:00 AM
DeAngelo Smith - 9:00-10:00 AM
Lamar Scruggs - 9:30 AM
D.J. Swearinger - 10:00 AM
Damario Jeffery - 10:00 AM
Chris Payne - 10:00 AM
DeMario Bennett - 10:00 AM
Andrew Clifford - 12:00 PM
Justice Cunningham - 12:00 PM
Nick Allison - 12:30 PM
Aldrick Fordham - 3:30 PM
Stephon Gilmore, DeVonte Holloman, Jarvis Giles, Chaz Sutton, Tony Straughter, and Josh Dickerson have already enrolled and will not be signing LOI’s.
Finally, don't let the fact USC missed on Washington out a damper on how you feel about this class as a whole. All things considered (end of season collapse, coaching turnover, etc...) the Gamecocks will sign one heck of a class tomorrow.
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 2/3 11:02 PM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 2/6 8:11 PM by Brian Shoemaker
For continuity reasons, if you have question regarding this report, please use today’s “Ask Tony" thread on The Insiders Forum.
Recruiting Tidbits
I know many of you are frustrated at the loss of Timberland offensive lineman Quinton Washington, and rightly so. He was a player the Carolina staff really needed and one they were counting on landing. In the end, he and his father simply felt like Michigan was the better choice. Personally, I don’t think he has any idea what he’s in store for playing for a guy like Rich Rodriquez, nor do I think he fits their offense, but he has made his bed.
With all that said, I really believe Carolina’s problems with signing a quality offensive line class will be a thing of the past starting with the class of 2010. Eric Wolford will evaluate better and will be heavily involved in the recruitment of every lineman offered, whether they’re in his area or not. I think players will be drawn to his personality and coaching style, and, in turn, I expect the Gamecocks to sign a strong class year in and year out. It won’t happen overnight, but I fully believe Wolford will get things straight.
While he’ll start his career on the defensive line, it would not surprise me at all to see Ronald Byrd eventually make the move to offensive tackle, and I think he has the tools to be very good there.
St. Matthews (S.C.) Calhoun County four-star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is supposed to announce/sign between 9:00 and 10:00 AM tomorrow morning. Rivals.com will be there to cover the event, and we’ll have live updates posted here on the Insiders Forum.
If Carolina lands Jeffery, it only strengthens their position with 2010 offensive lineman and Calhoun County teammate Eric Mack, one of the best line prospects in the Southeast. It would also give the Gamecocks the inside track to land Jeffery’s younger brother Shamir, who is also a receiver and is one of the top overall prospects in the Palmetto State’s class of 2011.
Here’s the schedule for what time some of the Carolina commitments plan to sign their LOI’s. These are, of course, subject to change:
Steve Singleton - 7:30 AM
Chaun Gresham - 9:00 AM
Kevious Watkins - 9:00-10:00 AM
DeAngelo Smith - 9:00-10:00 AM
Lamar Scruggs - 9:30 AM
D.J. Swearinger - 10:00 AM
Damario Jeffery - 10:00 AM
Chris Payne - 10:00 AM
DeMario Bennett - 10:00 AM
Andrew Clifford - 12:00 PM
Justice Cunningham - 12:00 PM
Nick Allison - 12:30 PM
Aldrick Fordham - 3:30 PM
Stephon Gilmore, DeVonte Holloman, Jarvis Giles, Chaz Sutton, Tony Straughter, and Josh Dickerson have already enrolled and will not be signing LOI’s.
Finally, don't let the fact USC missed on Washington out a damper on how you feel about this class as a whole. All things considered (end of season collapse, coaching turnover, etc...) the Gamecocks will sign one heck of a class tomorrow.
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 2/3 11:02 PM by Brian Shoemaker
This post was edited on 2/6 8:11 PM by Brian Shoemaker
