2019 signing class needs (offense)
January 05, 2018
With about 11 months before the second early signing period, there’s still plenty of time for South Carolina’s 2019 class to take shape. But it’s already pretty clear which positions the Gamecocks will need to prioritize in the upcoming cycle.
This category includes positions that SEC Country believes South Carolina should greatly emphasize in the Class of 2019.
Quarterback
The position is a priority for pretty much everyone on a year-in, year-out basis. After kicking around the idea of taking two signal callers in the 2017 and 2018 classes — Jay Urich and Dakereon Joyner were the only signees during the respective cycles.
The 2019 class could end up being a double quarterback haul for South Carolina. With Michael Scarnecchia set to be a senior this coming season, the Gamecocks could look to have four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster for the 2019 season, even though they went through 2017 with just three.
Offensive line
This position should be a priority for pretty much every team annually. With four seniors set to be on South Carolina’s roster in 2018, look for the 2019 class to include at least three offensive linemen.
Three-star defensive tackle Jaylen Nichols (Charlotte, N.C.) is the Gamecocks’ lone offensive line commitment in 2019. They signed three last month and could take two more in February.
Tight end
South Carolina didn’t sign any tight ends in December and the Gamecocks’ scholarship take in 2018 is expected to remain at zero.
With Hayden Hurst’s early declaration for the NFL and Jacob August and K.C. Crosby set to come off the books after the 2018 season, the Gamecocks are expected to sign at least one tight end from the Class of 2019. Plus, there are two rising juniors in Kyle Markway and Kiel Pollard to consider.
Early attrition could potentially push South Carolina’s tight end takes to two in 2019.
Running back
After signing Deshaun Fenwick and Lavonte Valentine, South Carolina can be selective at running back, but there’s potential for two more signings in the 2019 class.
For starters, the Gamecocks didn’t sign any scholarship running backs in the 2018 haul, though walk-on Caleb Kinlaw is a scholarship-caliber player.
Secondly, the current roster is heavy on rising juniors: Kinlaw, Rico Dowdle, A.J. Turner, Ty’Son Williams and Mon Denson.
Another running back class of two could be a pro-active approach, even if there is no early attrition.
January 05, 2018
With about 11 months before the second early signing period, there’s still plenty of time for South Carolina’s 2019 class to take shape. But it’s already pretty clear which positions the Gamecocks will need to prioritize in the upcoming cycle.
This category includes positions that SEC Country believes South Carolina should greatly emphasize in the Class of 2019.
Quarterback
The position is a priority for pretty much everyone on a year-in, year-out basis. After kicking around the idea of taking two signal callers in the 2017 and 2018 classes — Jay Urich and Dakereon Joyner were the only signees during the respective cycles.
The 2019 class could end up being a double quarterback haul for South Carolina. With Michael Scarnecchia set to be a senior this coming season, the Gamecocks could look to have four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster for the 2019 season, even though they went through 2017 with just three.
Offensive line
This position should be a priority for pretty much every team annually. With four seniors set to be on South Carolina’s roster in 2018, look for the 2019 class to include at least three offensive linemen.
Three-star defensive tackle Jaylen Nichols (Charlotte, N.C.) is the Gamecocks’ lone offensive line commitment in 2019. They signed three last month and could take two more in February.
Tight end
South Carolina didn’t sign any tight ends in December and the Gamecocks’ scholarship take in 2018 is expected to remain at zero.
With Hayden Hurst’s early declaration for the NFL and Jacob August and K.C. Crosby set to come off the books after the 2018 season, the Gamecocks are expected to sign at least one tight end from the Class of 2019. Plus, there are two rising juniors in Kyle Markway and Kiel Pollard to consider.
Early attrition could potentially push South Carolina’s tight end takes to two in 2019.
Running back
After signing Deshaun Fenwick and Lavonte Valentine, South Carolina can be selective at running back, but there’s potential for two more signings in the 2019 class.
For starters, the Gamecocks didn’t sign any scholarship running backs in the 2018 haul, though walk-on Caleb Kinlaw is a scholarship-caliber player.
Secondly, the current roster is heavy on rising juniors: Kinlaw, Rico Dowdle, A.J. Turner, Ty’Son Williams and Mon Denson.
Another running back class of two could be a pro-active approach, even if there is no early attrition.
