5-star DE KJ Henry talks South Carolina; the latest on 4-star athlete Matthew Hill
August 10, 2017
5-star update
Even though he’s only considering five schools, 5-star defensive end KJ Henry hasn’t noticed much of a downturn in contact from college coaches.
“They’re always going to find time to hit me up,” Henry said. “So, if anything, it probably ramps it up a little bit, because they know they have a chance at me, so they definitely keep hitting me up.”
South Carolina, along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Virginia Tech, occupies a spot inside his lead group.
The Gamecocks are pitching him on the opportunity for early playing time at the “Buck” spot, a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end position. Defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson told Henry early this year that he could be a big-name player for the Gamecocks.
“That’s their special thing — I go down there, obviously, there’s going to be some work that I need to put in, but at the same time, as long as I’m putting in that work, I can definitely be the big name and be the man down there,” Henry said. “That’s what they’re pressing on me right now.”
On Wednesday night, during a scrimmage at Hough High School (Cornelius, N.C.), Henry was dropping into coverage, standing up on the end — doing some of the things he would do at South Carolina.
“I’m starting to get comfortable with it,” Henry said. “It’s definitely something I didn’t do last year, but me, personally, I like standing up and being able to see over the line and things like that.”
Henry’s also impressed with the effort Muschamp’s made in his recruitment.
“I like that, most of all,” Henry said. “The fact that he keeps in contact with me and my parents a lot, as a head coach, it shows a lot of respect.”
According to the 247Sports composite, Henry (Clemmons, N.C.) is ranked as the No. 2 weakside defensive end in the state for the Class of 2018. Nationally, he’s the No. 14 overall prospect.
Three remain
Four-star athlete Matthew Hill told SEC Country reporter Benjamin Wolk earlier this week that he received just three offers this month —Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina — when colleges were permitted to make them official.
Hill, who’s ranked by Rivals as the No. 22 athlete in the Class of 2018, said the Tide, Tigers and Gamecocks are the only three options he’s considering at this point. His commitment is expected to be announced within the next couple of weeks.
“I’m basically just making sure I’m not making the wrong decision,” Hill said. “It’s me sitting down with my family and talking to them about it. I want to make sure this is the right choice because it’s a life thing.
“You’re going to get a degree from the school, so you need to take your time with it. Yes, football is involved, but I wanted to make sure [about] the coaches, academics, the atmosphere.”
Auburn, the longtime favorite, hosted him earlier this summer for its annual Big Cat Weekend. In late July, Hill (Snellville, Ga.) visited South Carolina for the final Spurs Up recruiting event of the year.
“I like the coaching staff and atmosphere. I went there most recently with my coach who went to South Carolina,” Hill said. “I just have a strong connection with a lot of the staff and like the environment around the school.”
August 10, 2017
5-star update
Even though he’s only considering five schools, 5-star defensive end KJ Henry hasn’t noticed much of a downturn in contact from college coaches.
“They’re always going to find time to hit me up,” Henry said. “So, if anything, it probably ramps it up a little bit, because they know they have a chance at me, so they definitely keep hitting me up.”
South Carolina, along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Virginia Tech, occupies a spot inside his lead group.
The Gamecocks are pitching him on the opportunity for early playing time at the “Buck” spot, a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end position. Defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson told Henry early this year that he could be a big-name player for the Gamecocks.
“That’s their special thing — I go down there, obviously, there’s going to be some work that I need to put in, but at the same time, as long as I’m putting in that work, I can definitely be the big name and be the man down there,” Henry said. “That’s what they’re pressing on me right now.”
On Wednesday night, during a scrimmage at Hough High School (Cornelius, N.C.), Henry was dropping into coverage, standing up on the end — doing some of the things he would do at South Carolina.
“I’m starting to get comfortable with it,” Henry said. “It’s definitely something I didn’t do last year, but me, personally, I like standing up and being able to see over the line and things like that.”
Henry’s also impressed with the effort Muschamp’s made in his recruitment.
“I like that, most of all,” Henry said. “The fact that he keeps in contact with me and my parents a lot, as a head coach, it shows a lot of respect.”
According to the 247Sports composite, Henry (Clemmons, N.C.) is ranked as the No. 2 weakside defensive end in the state for the Class of 2018. Nationally, he’s the No. 14 overall prospect.
Three remain
Four-star athlete Matthew Hill told SEC Country reporter Benjamin Wolk earlier this week that he received just three offers this month —Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina — when colleges were permitted to make them official.
Hill, who’s ranked by Rivals as the No. 22 athlete in the Class of 2018, said the Tide, Tigers and Gamecocks are the only three options he’s considering at this point. His commitment is expected to be announced within the next couple of weeks.
“I’m basically just making sure I’m not making the wrong decision,” Hill said. “It’s me sitting down with my family and talking to them about it. I want to make sure this is the right choice because it’s a life thing.
“You’re going to get a degree from the school, so you need to take your time with it. Yes, football is involved, but I wanted to make sure [about] the coaches, academics, the atmosphere.”
Auburn, the longtime favorite, hosted him earlier this summer for its annual Big Cat Weekend. In late July, Hill (Snellville, Ga.) visited South Carolina for the final Spurs Up recruiting event of the year.
“I like the coaching staff and atmosphere. I went there most recently with my coach who went to South Carolina,” Hill said. “I just have a strong connection with a lot of the staff and like the environment around the school.”
