Most wanted in-state Gamecocks prospects
May 20, 2018
Who’s out there in South Carolina?
Compared to the crop of prospects from the 2018 class, the 2019 cycle in the state of South Carolina is down somewhat in terms of quantity. But there are still plenty of good players to be had for other Power 5 schools.
Not many, however, are targets for the Gamecocks, aside from the two 2019 commitments, 4-star wide receiver Jamario Holley (Rock Hill-Northwestern) and 3-star Keshawn Toney (Williston-Elko). For the sake of this feature, the two junior college commitments – defensive end Devontae Davis and defensive tackle Jahkeem Green – won’t be counted, even though they graduated from in-state high schools.
Of the non-committed in-state 2019 prospects with an offer from South Carolina, 5-star defensive end Zacch Pickens (Anderson-T.L. Hanna) is the only one we know for sure has a committable offer from the Gamecocks. Three-star running back Mikey Dukes (Charleston-First Baptist) could be another, though it is unclear where exactly he sits on the board.
To help round out this list, SEC Country will also dive into the 2020 class and identify the five most-wanted in-state recruits for South Carolina. This multi-part series will continue throughout the week with other states, including Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
Most wanted in 2019
“Patrick Nations is one of the most talented underclassman ever involved in the Ray Guy prokicker.com program. A rising senior, Nations has dominated every ranking in his class like no other. With his powerful left foot, he can generate tremendous distance and hang time on kickoffs. I truly believe he could start for any college football team in the country and excel right now.”
Most wanted in 2020
May 20, 2018
Who’s out there in South Carolina?
Compared to the crop of prospects from the 2018 class, the 2019 cycle in the state of South Carolina is down somewhat in terms of quantity. But there are still plenty of good players to be had for other Power 5 schools.
Not many, however, are targets for the Gamecocks, aside from the two 2019 commitments, 4-star wide receiver Jamario Holley (Rock Hill-Northwestern) and 3-star Keshawn Toney (Williston-Elko). For the sake of this feature, the two junior college commitments – defensive end Devontae Davis and defensive tackle Jahkeem Green – won’t be counted, even though they graduated from in-state high schools.
Of the non-committed in-state 2019 prospects with an offer from South Carolina, 5-star defensive end Zacch Pickens (Anderson-T.L. Hanna) is the only one we know for sure has a committable offer from the Gamecocks. Three-star running back Mikey Dukes (Charleston-First Baptist) could be another, though it is unclear where exactly he sits on the board.
To help round out this list, SEC Country will also dive into the 2020 class and identify the five most-wanted in-state recruits for South Carolina. This multi-part series will continue throughout the week with other states, including Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
Most wanted in 2019
- DE Zacch Pickens (Anderson-T.L. Hanna): The No. 13-ranked prospect in the country, according to the 247Sports composite, is a top priority for Muschamp, who’s gone the extra-mile to recruit the state since arriving in December of 2015. The success rate has been hit or miss, because it’s tough when you’re battling Clemson, Georgia and Alabama.
- Clemson and Georgia figure to be the primary competition for Pickens, the No. 1-ranked strongside defensive end in the country. Fortunately, for the Gamecocks, Pickens (6-4.5, 268) has made several visits to Columbia, and most folks across the industry figure they’re the team to beat.
- K/P Patrick Nations (Walhalla): Though he hasn’t landed an offer from South Carolina, Nations (5-11, 185) will have a shot to pick one up next month during camp. However, there’s no guarantee that he or any specialist from the Class of 2019 will be offered by the Gamecocks. Nations does have an offer from East Carolina.
“Patrick Nations is one of the most talented underclassman ever involved in the Ray Guy prokicker.com program. A rising senior, Nations has dominated every ranking in his class like no other. With his powerful left foot, he can generate tremendous distance and hang time on kickoffs. I truly believe he could start for any college football team in the country and excel right now.”
Most wanted in 2020
- DE Jordan Burch (Columbia – Hammond School): The top-ranked in-state prospect, according to 247Sports, checks in as the No. 27-ranked overall prospect in the country. Burch (6-5, 250) is seriously considering South Carolina and Clemson, but it’s not clear what schools are also contenders. Like the next guy on this list, he’s teammates with Will Muschamp’s oldest son, Jackson.
- DT Alex Huntley (Columbia – Hammond School): Both Huntley (6-4, 295) and Burch visited last month for the Gamecocks’ latest recruiting social. South Carolina is off to nice, early start for Huntley, but he’s yet to reel in an offer from Clemson. Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee have also offered the No. 5-ranked defensive tackle in the country.
- QB Luke Doty (Myrtle Beach): South Carolina is among a handful of school that have made an early impression, along with North Carolina, Wake Forest, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. Clemson would hold the cards with an offer. Doty (6-2, 190) possesses the athleticism to play wide receiver or defensive back at the next level, though quarterback is certainly the one he’d prefer.
- 2019 3-star RB Mikey Dukes (Charleston-First Baptist)
- 2020 4-star DE Demonte Capehart (Hartsville)
- 2020 4-star DE Tonka Hemingway (Conway)
- 2020 4-star DT Xavier McIver (Cheraw)