*** One of Saturday's marquee visitors was Savannah defender Troy Ford, who said more than once during our follow-up conversation: "this place is amazing."
The 2023 standout could play linebacker or rush end at the next level, but it looks like the Gamecock staff believes he's more of a linebacker. Ford was joined by multiple family members on the trip and spent time with Shane Beamer and Clayton White.
Ford's already planning a return trip at some point to take in a game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Expect South Carolina to have staying power here.
*** There were a few offensive linemen worth watching during Saturday's session, including one that Wes will cover in his portion of the report.
Mississippi rising senior Carter Edwards was among the prospects that worked out with offensive line coach Greg Adkins, and he turned in some solid testing numbers as well per our understanding. No offer has been dispensed at this point by the Gamecock staff.
We were anxious to get a first look at Carolina commitment Grayson Mains out of Georgia, and walked away believing there's a lot to like.
South Carolina's staff seems happy with its acquisition here as well, and we saw why as Mains went through drills. Everything checks out from a size standpoint, and Mains appears capable of playing either guard or tackle at the next level.
In addition to the frame, Mains displayed plus flexibility and foot movement during the drill work.
On top of that, he appears totally locked in with the Gamecocks. In town this weekend with his father, our understanding is that the Mains camp planned to grab tickets and take in Carolina's baseball game at Founders Park on Saturday night.
*** One of the most physically impressive prospects - with one of the best performances - was Northeast defensive tackle Will Norman, who carries offers from Boston College, Tennessee, Texas A&M, West Virginia, Penn State, and others.
Norman, who may be transferring to the state of Florida to play his junior season, should be poised to add one from the Gamecocks based on his performance.
*** We previously profiled Charlotte tight end Jack Larsen as an expected camper, and he made it in as expected.
Larsen's a good looking prospect on film and turned in solid testing numbers for someone his age, as a 2024 class prospect.
South Carolina stepped forward after the camp with Larsen's first offer.
*** Two prospects with a tie to Gamecock tight Jaheim Bell were in for unofficial visits on Saturday in Amare Ferrell and Jaden Robinson.
Robinson and Farrell didn't work out on the day, but spent time hanging around the indoor facility and outdoor to watch drills and one-on-ones with the defensive backs.
Bell's uncle is on Robinson and Farrell's high school staff, and our understanding is that both had an excellent time in Columbia throughout the day.
FROM WES MITCHELL
** Saturday's camp offered us the first opportunity to see Miami (Fla.) Miami Central four-star safety Anthony Rose in person and he did not disappoint. Most of you will remember Rose was the first commitment to the Gamecocks 2022 class before recently decommitting. After the decommitment we weren't sure how much he would still consider the Gamecocks, but as camp kicked off on Saturday, in came Rose after taking a tour of the Gamecocks' facilities. The feedback we received is that Carolina is firmly in it and has a chance here.
As for Rose on the field, he looks the part of four-star defensive back. Listed at 6-foot-3, 187-pounds, Rose looks every bit of that height and ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, despite not getting a great jump out of the shoot. He had at least two interceptions in the 1-on-1s that I saw and certainly has that competitive juice that you're looking for in college, especially at that position. Positionally, I don't know if he's a corner or a safety but I left thinking he should definitely remain a priority on the Gamecocks board.
** As we said in our preview, Laurens (S.C.) wide receiver Jayden McGowan is a prospect we were looking forward to seeing and who is under evaluation by the Carolina staff. McGowan unfortunately saw his day cut short before the camp really got rolling after injuring his hamstring at the end of one of his 40-yard-dashes. McGowan is known for his speed and did clock a 4.35 40 before getting hurt, enough to turn some heads for sure.
McGowan did get to spend some time with wide receivers coach Justin Stepp and meet the entire offensive staff while he was on campus. He'll come back to camp on a later date to do some field work then in hopes of possibly landing an offer.
** Go ahead and lock the name Kam Pringle into your head as a priority target for the 2024 class. We sort of already knew that was going to be the case after taking one look at him at the Atlanta Rivals Camp this spring but once again Pringle's presence created quite a buzz at Carolina's camp, just as in Atlanta, because of his sheer size at such a young age.
Pringle received a ton of attention from the Carolina staff, including head coach Shane Beamer, and has the long arms and foot quickness needed to go with his massive 6-foot-6, 300-pound frame. It's too early to rate that class but the more I see of Pringle, the more I think this is a kid who will be in the five-star conversation and he's certainly a top target for the Gamecocks.
The 2023 standout could play linebacker or rush end at the next level, but it looks like the Gamecock staff believes he's more of a linebacker. Ford was joined by multiple family members on the trip and spent time with Shane Beamer and Clayton White.
Ford's already planning a return trip at some point to take in a game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Expect South Carolina to have staying power here.
*** There were a few offensive linemen worth watching during Saturday's session, including one that Wes will cover in his portion of the report.
Mississippi rising senior Carter Edwards was among the prospects that worked out with offensive line coach Greg Adkins, and he turned in some solid testing numbers as well per our understanding. No offer has been dispensed at this point by the Gamecock staff.
We were anxious to get a first look at Carolina commitment Grayson Mains out of Georgia, and walked away believing there's a lot to like.
South Carolina's staff seems happy with its acquisition here as well, and we saw why as Mains went through drills. Everything checks out from a size standpoint, and Mains appears capable of playing either guard or tackle at the next level.
In addition to the frame, Mains displayed plus flexibility and foot movement during the drill work.
On top of that, he appears totally locked in with the Gamecocks. In town this weekend with his father, our understanding is that the Mains camp planned to grab tickets and take in Carolina's baseball game at Founders Park on Saturday night.
*** One of the most physically impressive prospects - with one of the best performances - was Northeast defensive tackle Will Norman, who carries offers from Boston College, Tennessee, Texas A&M, West Virginia, Penn State, and others.
Norman, who may be transferring to the state of Florida to play his junior season, should be poised to add one from the Gamecocks based on his performance.
*** We previously profiled Charlotte tight end Jack Larsen as an expected camper, and he made it in as expected.
Larsen's a good looking prospect on film and turned in solid testing numbers for someone his age, as a 2024 class prospect.
South Carolina stepped forward after the camp with Larsen's first offer.
*** Two prospects with a tie to Gamecock tight Jaheim Bell were in for unofficial visits on Saturday in Amare Ferrell and Jaden Robinson.
Robinson and Farrell didn't work out on the day, but spent time hanging around the indoor facility and outdoor to watch drills and one-on-ones with the defensive backs.
Bell's uncle is on Robinson and Farrell's high school staff, and our understanding is that both had an excellent time in Columbia throughout the day.
FROM WES MITCHELL
** Saturday's camp offered us the first opportunity to see Miami (Fla.) Miami Central four-star safety Anthony Rose in person and he did not disappoint. Most of you will remember Rose was the first commitment to the Gamecocks 2022 class before recently decommitting. After the decommitment we weren't sure how much he would still consider the Gamecocks, but as camp kicked off on Saturday, in came Rose after taking a tour of the Gamecocks' facilities. The feedback we received is that Carolina is firmly in it and has a chance here.
As for Rose on the field, he looks the part of four-star defensive back. Listed at 6-foot-3, 187-pounds, Rose looks every bit of that height and ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, despite not getting a great jump out of the shoot. He had at least two interceptions in the 1-on-1s that I saw and certainly has that competitive juice that you're looking for in college, especially at that position. Positionally, I don't know if he's a corner or a safety but I left thinking he should definitely remain a priority on the Gamecocks board.
** As we said in our preview, Laurens (S.C.) wide receiver Jayden McGowan is a prospect we were looking forward to seeing and who is under evaluation by the Carolina staff. McGowan unfortunately saw his day cut short before the camp really got rolling after injuring his hamstring at the end of one of his 40-yard-dashes. McGowan is known for his speed and did clock a 4.35 40 before getting hurt, enough to turn some heads for sure.
McGowan did get to spend some time with wide receivers coach Justin Stepp and meet the entire offensive staff while he was on campus. He'll come back to camp on a later date to do some field work then in hopes of possibly landing an offer.
** Go ahead and lock the name Kam Pringle into your head as a priority target for the 2024 class. We sort of already knew that was going to be the case after taking one look at him at the Atlanta Rivals Camp this spring but once again Pringle's presence created quite a buzz at Carolina's camp, just as in Atlanta, because of his sheer size at such a young age.
Pringle received a ton of attention from the Carolina staff, including head coach Shane Beamer, and has the long arms and foot quickness needed to go with his massive 6-foot-6, 300-pound frame. It's too early to rate that class but the more I see of Pringle, the more I think this is a kid who will be in the five-star conversation and he's certainly a top target for the Gamecocks.
