The position that's going to be the most interesting to watch play in this recruiting class is at running back. As things stand today, USC still plans to only take one more running back, and they're going to have to be careful in when they push for a commitment and from whom.
Currently, Martin Ward[/URL], Kenneth Miles[/URL], Tauren Poole[/URL] and Franklin Green[/URL] all want to be Gamecocks. Ward has academic issues, and the Gamecocks are waiting to see how his first semester goes before making a decision on him. They haven't offered Miles just yet because he's ready to commit, which would essentially end their running back recruiting for this year. Poole is committed to Tennessee and Green to Florida, but both continue to say the right things to Carolina's coaches. Both are very productive high school backs and may very well be at the college level, too, but both lack the top end speed the Gamecocks would ideally like to find in the second back in this class.
Which brings me to Jamie Harper[/URL] and Andre Ellington[/URL]. Harper has the perfect combination of size, speed and power, and the Gamecocks have made a run at him as of late. It's primarily a USC, Florida, Clemson battle. It will be interesting to see which game he attends this weekend. Clemson thinks he's coming there, while Harper has indicated to others he'll be at the USC-Florida game. Which game he ultimately attends could be a telling sign. As for Ellington, I'd still put him in the long shot category, but the lines of communication are open and he does want to set an official visit with USC. Jamal Womble is also still visiting USC the weekend of the Clemson game.
So Robert Gillespie[/URL] and the other assistants are going to have to walk a tight rope over the course of the next few weeks as they decide who the last running back slot goes to. There's always the possibility they decide to take a third back, but that hasn't happened as of yet.
Summerville (S.C.) quarterback and Gamecock commitment Reid McCollum[/URL] has really come on as of late and is putting together a strong season. Fellow commitment Aramis Hillary[/URL] has also been performing well. McCollum will participate in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and Hillary in the North-South game.
When I talked last week to tight end Taylor Thompson[/URL], currently committed to Vanderbilt, I got the impression he could change his mind if things go well on his unofficial visit to USC the weekend of the Clemson game. Look for him to set a January official visit with the Gamecocks. I think he's an underrated prospect who could fill a need for Carolina.
Another player to watch is offensive lineman Elliot Williams[/URL]. USC assistant coach Shane Beamer[/URL] has done a good job with him, and USC leads Auburn. He plays defensive tackle in high school, but the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder will be on offensive tackle in college. Beamer has also positioned the Gamecocks well with three-star offensive lineman Steven Robinson[/URL], who visited USC earlier this season.
Still no decision on whether USC will push for offensive lineman David Spurlock[/URL], and the longer it drags out, the less likely they are to offer him.
Defensive lineman Taylor Loftley[/URL] is leaning to USC, and they will accept his commitment if he decides to offer it.
Finally, defensive end Robert Quinn[/URL] was due to be released from the hospital sometime yesterday and the current belief is he'll be medically cleared to pursue a college football career. It's still a bit of a fluid situation, but, amazingly, that's where things appear headed as of today.
This post was edited on 11/5 9:11 AM by Tony Morrell
Currently, Martin Ward[/URL], Kenneth Miles[/URL], Tauren Poole[/URL] and Franklin Green[/URL] all want to be Gamecocks. Ward has academic issues, and the Gamecocks are waiting to see how his first semester goes before making a decision on him. They haven't offered Miles just yet because he's ready to commit, which would essentially end their running back recruiting for this year. Poole is committed to Tennessee and Green to Florida, but both continue to say the right things to Carolina's coaches. Both are very productive high school backs and may very well be at the college level, too, but both lack the top end speed the Gamecocks would ideally like to find in the second back in this class.
Which brings me to Jamie Harper[/URL] and Andre Ellington[/URL]. Harper has the perfect combination of size, speed and power, and the Gamecocks have made a run at him as of late. It's primarily a USC, Florida, Clemson battle. It will be interesting to see which game he attends this weekend. Clemson thinks he's coming there, while Harper has indicated to others he'll be at the USC-Florida game. Which game he ultimately attends could be a telling sign. As for Ellington, I'd still put him in the long shot category, but the lines of communication are open and he does want to set an official visit with USC. Jamal Womble is also still visiting USC the weekend of the Clemson game.
So Robert Gillespie[/URL] and the other assistants are going to have to walk a tight rope over the course of the next few weeks as they decide who the last running back slot goes to. There's always the possibility they decide to take a third back, but that hasn't happened as of yet.
Summerville (S.C.) quarterback and Gamecock commitment Reid McCollum[/URL] has really come on as of late and is putting together a strong season. Fellow commitment Aramis Hillary[/URL] has also been performing well. McCollum will participate in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and Hillary in the North-South game.
When I talked last week to tight end Taylor Thompson[/URL], currently committed to Vanderbilt, I got the impression he could change his mind if things go well on his unofficial visit to USC the weekend of the Clemson game. Look for him to set a January official visit with the Gamecocks. I think he's an underrated prospect who could fill a need for Carolina.
Another player to watch is offensive lineman Elliot Williams[/URL]. USC assistant coach Shane Beamer[/URL] has done a good job with him, and USC leads Auburn. He plays defensive tackle in high school, but the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder will be on offensive tackle in college. Beamer has also positioned the Gamecocks well with three-star offensive lineman Steven Robinson[/URL], who visited USC earlier this season.
Still no decision on whether USC will push for offensive lineman David Spurlock[/URL], and the longer it drags out, the less likely they are to offer him.
Defensive lineman Taylor Loftley[/URL] is leaning to USC, and they will accept his commitment if he decides to offer it.
Finally, defensive end Robert Quinn[/URL] was due to be released from the hospital sometime yesterday and the current belief is he'll be medically cleared to pursue a college football career. It's still a bit of a fluid situation, but, amazingly, that's where things appear headed as of today.
This post was edited on 11/5 9:11 AM by Tony Morrell
