4-star LB Dax Hollifield, 4-star OT Warren McClendon talk Gamecocks
May 10, 2017
More on 4-star LB
Four-star linebacker Dax Hollifield has made a slight adjustment since SEC Country visited with him at Shelby (N.C.) High School late last month.
North Carolina and Virginia Tech have long been the primary programs contending with South Carolina, but Florida is now in the mix, too.
But first, more on his interest in the Gamecocks.
“Just how close they are to home,” Hollifield said. “They’re only 2 hours from my house. I like that. Keep my family close. I like their depth chart. They’re not very deep right now and I can step in and get some playing time.”
He returned to Columbia late last month for the SpursUp Cookout.
“It was fun,” Hollifield said. “It was just like a party. … All we did was have fun, talk — it really wasn’t much recruiting. You’re part of the family, so [they] treated [me] like family.”
Florida, which hosted him for a visit a couple of weeks earlier, is now in the picture with South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
“I love the weather down there. Also, the same thing about the [Gators’] depth chart; they’re not very deep and I feel like they’re going to win. They have a good team. I like the coaches. [Linebackers] coach [Tim Skipper] is really great.”
Hollifield (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) is ranked as the nation’s No. 4 inside linebacker and the No. 107 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
2019 OT planning to visit
Warren McClendon hasn’t been on the road much lately, but that will change after his father, who’s in the military, returns home from Djibouti, Africa, at the end of the month.
Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Miami, South Carolina, Tennessee and potentially Ohio State are visit destinations for McClendon later this spring and summer.
The Gamecocks last hosted McClendon (6-4, 270) in the fall for the Tennessee game. Last week, offensive line coach Eric Wolford stopped by Brunswick (Ga.) High School for a visit.
“I like him,” McClendon said. “I’ve got to get up there to sit down and talk with them.”
South Carolina co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon also has a role in his recruitment. They’re cousins.
“He’s recruiting me hard,” Warren said.
Bryan’s pitch is one that would appeal to any offensive tackle.
“Mostly, he says, if I come to South Carolina, I’ll have family and I can get a home-cooked meal once a week,” Warren said. “If I’m up there, I can go to his house and get a home-cooked meal.”
Even though there’s a family connection at South Carolina, the recruiter he’s grown closest with is Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
But Warren was quick to add that he’s keeping his “options open.”
He’ll consider the “coaching staff, education and college atmosphere” with each of his suitors before announcing a decision. That’s tentatively planned for the end of his junior season.
May 10, 2017
More on 4-star LB
Four-star linebacker Dax Hollifield has made a slight adjustment since SEC Country visited with him at Shelby (N.C.) High School late last month.
North Carolina and Virginia Tech have long been the primary programs contending with South Carolina, but Florida is now in the mix, too.
But first, more on his interest in the Gamecocks.
“Just how close they are to home,” Hollifield said. “They’re only 2 hours from my house. I like that. Keep my family close. I like their depth chart. They’re not very deep right now and I can step in and get some playing time.”
He returned to Columbia late last month for the SpursUp Cookout.
“It was fun,” Hollifield said. “It was just like a party. … All we did was have fun, talk — it really wasn’t much recruiting. You’re part of the family, so [they] treated [me] like family.”
Florida, which hosted him for a visit a couple of weeks earlier, is now in the picture with South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
“I love the weather down there. Also, the same thing about the [Gators’] depth chart; they’re not very deep and I feel like they’re going to win. They have a good team. I like the coaches. [Linebackers] coach [Tim Skipper] is really great.”
Hollifield (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) is ranked as the nation’s No. 4 inside linebacker and the No. 107 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
2019 OT planning to visit
Warren McClendon hasn’t been on the road much lately, but that will change after his father, who’s in the military, returns home from Djibouti, Africa, at the end of the month.
Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Miami, South Carolina, Tennessee and potentially Ohio State are visit destinations for McClendon later this spring and summer.
The Gamecocks last hosted McClendon (6-4, 270) in the fall for the Tennessee game. Last week, offensive line coach Eric Wolford stopped by Brunswick (Ga.) High School for a visit.
“I like him,” McClendon said. “I’ve got to get up there to sit down and talk with them.”
South Carolina co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon also has a role in his recruitment. They’re cousins.
“He’s recruiting me hard,” Warren said.
Bryan’s pitch is one that would appeal to any offensive tackle.
“Mostly, he says, if I come to South Carolina, I’ll have family and I can get a home-cooked meal once a week,” Warren said. “If I’m up there, I can go to his house and get a home-cooked meal.”
Even though there’s a family connection at South Carolina, the recruiter he’s grown closest with is Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
But Warren was quick to add that he’s keeping his “options open.”
He’ll consider the “coaching staff, education and college atmosphere” with each of his suitors before announcing a decision. That’s tentatively planned for the end of his junior season.