Losses of Key and Arnette
I know many of you want an explanation on why South Carolina lost four-star defensive end Arden Key and three-star cornerback Damon Arnette two days before signing day, but I’ve already released most of what I know. Key obviously had been playing games for quite some time and was caught up in the attention the recruiting process brings to a highly rated player like him.
I think the hiring of Ed Orgeron was a turning point for LSU, as he was able to use his resume as a defensive line coach to make a big impression on Key. I can tell you Key’s father was all about South Carolina until that meeting with Orgeron and Frank Wilson on the Friday before signing day. Following that visit, it all shifted towards LSU and his behavior towards the Gamecock coaches was completely different.
It will be interesting to see how Key’s career plays out in Baton Rouge. I can tell you one college coach from another SEC program believes he will go down to the wire academically. His standing has improved some, but there are still some obstacles for him to overcome between now and enrolling at LSU.
As for Arnette, I think it was a combination of lingering uncertainty with the future of the South Carolina defensive staff, and Ohio State offering a tremendous overall package. When Arnette returned from Michigan, it did not take him long to reaffirm his commitment to the Gamecocks, but that didn’t happen when he got home from Columbus. There were still people close to him who felt like South Carolina was his best choice, but he felt like taking his talents to Columbus was a better move for him and his future.
Arnette was on the phone with coaches from both South Carolina and Ohio State the day of his announcement, and the Gamecock staff was confident early in the day. However, as the day progressed, the momentum began to shift towards Ohio State, and the Gamecocks were not able to overcome it. I don’t think this is a situation where any coach “dropped the ball” or did anything to lose Arnette. He just believed Ohio State was a better option and a safer choice given the staff uncertainty in Columbia.
Pellage and Bailey held firm
South Carolina saw their offensive line class take big hits when players like Paris Palmer, Austin Clark and Jozie Milton decommitted from the Gamecocks and pledged elsewhere. Things could have been disastrous on the offensive line front if four-stars Zack Bailey and Christian Pellage had followed suit. Florida did their best to turn Pellage and Clemson did the same with Bailey. In the end both players held firm with their commitments and stuck with the Gamecocks mainly because of their relationship with offensive line coach Shawn Elliott and the bond Bailey and Pellage formed with each other. Both players have a chance to make an impact early in their careers if things go as planned.
Close calls with Lewis and Pittman
Hutchinson C.C. four-star defensive end Marquavius Lewis, the nation’s No. 3 overall junior college player, was arguably THE biggest piece of the puzzle in this class considering the need South Carolina had for an elite pass rusher. Auburn did all they could to flip him the day of the early signing period and came close to doing so, but a combination of the South Carolina coaches and the Greenwood coaches kept him in the Gamecock fold.
Since arriving in Columbia Lewis has been fitting in extremely well and has been impressive so far in the winter workouts. He has an excellent chance to become the starter at his end spot early on in spring practice if things stay on track.
South Carolina had six players in addition to Lewis enroll in January. The other one who wavered for a while was Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast four-star linebacker Sherrod Pittman. However, in the end, Pittman held firm despite listening to what other schools had to say for a period of time in December. The 6-foot-1, 225 pounder is still recovering from a broken leg suffered during his senior season, but the staff is hopeful he will eventually get back to full speed.
Forgotten men
Lost in all the decommitments that occurred in the last two months are some of the key players who held firm and did not waver. One such example is Bluffton (S.C.) four-star defensive end Shameik Blackshear, who had offers from several elite programs. Florida State is one program that tried to make a move with the 6-foot-5, 240 pounder, but Blackshear was set with the Gamecocks. It would have been easy for him to bail with the way the season unfolded and the coaching situation, but he didn’t take the easy road. Like Pittman, Blackshear is recovering from a season ending knee injury but still hopes to be ready to make an impact in 2015.
Another example is Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County four-star athlete Octavis Johnson, who also had several other options at his disposal. The 6-foot-1, 185 pounder is capable of helping the Gamecocks on either side of the ball, but one source believes he is most likely so start his career on the defensive side of the ball at cornerback. Damascus (Md.) four-star wide receiver Jalen Christian also comes to mind, but the 5-foot-10, 170 pounder stuck with the Gamecocks and has a chance to work his way into the rotation as a true freshman given the needs at wide receiver.
When El Dorado (Kan.) Butler C.C. three-star defensive lineman Urlic Jones was denied admission to South Carolina in January due to his math grade, he was technically recruitable and could have signed with another school today had he desired. However, he returned to Butler to fulfill his academic obligations and plans to enroll at South Carolina in June.
Given Jones’ height 6-foot-7+ and the fact that he has played offensive tackle at the high school level, I can’t rule out a potential move to the offensive side of the ball if it doesn’t look like defensive tackle is his best option. Physically, he reminds me of former South Carolina player Jarriel King, who arrived in Columbia as a defensive lineman but finished as an offensive tackle.
Steal of the class
I think there are a few candidates I could consider the “steal of the class”, including LaGrange (Ga.) three-star running back Mon Denson, Virginia Beach (Va.) Frank W. Cox three-star offensive tackle Blake Camper, and Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Chaffey College three-star safety Toure Boyd.
When all is said and done, though, I believe Opelika (Ala.) three-star defensive end Quandeski Whitlow will end up being that guy. The 6-foot-3, 225 pounder was a standout the week of the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game, and Louisville and Florida each made a strong run at him. Auburn also extended a late offer yo Whitlow, but it was too little, too late. He firmed up his pledge during his official visit to Columbia, and I believe Gamecock fans will end up being very happy he did so once he fills out physically and reaches his potential as a player.
Last second offer
South Carolina extended a last second offer to Pearl River C.C. cornerback Xavier Grindle, who led the state of Mississippi in interceptions this season. In the end, though, Grindle decided stick with his commitment to North Texas, a team he has been committed to for some time. Had the staff been able to offer him in time for him to visit, this one likely would have gone differently, but the timing of Arnette's decommitment didn't allow it. Grindle is a former member of Mississippi State's team
I know many of you want an explanation on why South Carolina lost four-star defensive end Arden Key and three-star cornerback Damon Arnette two days before signing day, but I’ve already released most of what I know. Key obviously had been playing games for quite some time and was caught up in the attention the recruiting process brings to a highly rated player like him.
I think the hiring of Ed Orgeron was a turning point for LSU, as he was able to use his resume as a defensive line coach to make a big impression on Key. I can tell you Key’s father was all about South Carolina until that meeting with Orgeron and Frank Wilson on the Friday before signing day. Following that visit, it all shifted towards LSU and his behavior towards the Gamecock coaches was completely different.
It will be interesting to see how Key’s career plays out in Baton Rouge. I can tell you one college coach from another SEC program believes he will go down to the wire academically. His standing has improved some, but there are still some obstacles for him to overcome between now and enrolling at LSU.
As for Arnette, I think it was a combination of lingering uncertainty with the future of the South Carolina defensive staff, and Ohio State offering a tremendous overall package. When Arnette returned from Michigan, it did not take him long to reaffirm his commitment to the Gamecocks, but that didn’t happen when he got home from Columbus. There were still people close to him who felt like South Carolina was his best choice, but he felt like taking his talents to Columbus was a better move for him and his future.
Arnette was on the phone with coaches from both South Carolina and Ohio State the day of his announcement, and the Gamecock staff was confident early in the day. However, as the day progressed, the momentum began to shift towards Ohio State, and the Gamecocks were not able to overcome it. I don’t think this is a situation where any coach “dropped the ball” or did anything to lose Arnette. He just believed Ohio State was a better option and a safer choice given the staff uncertainty in Columbia.
Pellage and Bailey held firm
South Carolina saw their offensive line class take big hits when players like Paris Palmer, Austin Clark and Jozie Milton decommitted from the Gamecocks and pledged elsewhere. Things could have been disastrous on the offensive line front if four-stars Zack Bailey and Christian Pellage had followed suit. Florida did their best to turn Pellage and Clemson did the same with Bailey. In the end both players held firm with their commitments and stuck with the Gamecocks mainly because of their relationship with offensive line coach Shawn Elliott and the bond Bailey and Pellage formed with each other. Both players have a chance to make an impact early in their careers if things go as planned.
Close calls with Lewis and Pittman
Hutchinson C.C. four-star defensive end Marquavius Lewis, the nation’s No. 3 overall junior college player, was arguably THE biggest piece of the puzzle in this class considering the need South Carolina had for an elite pass rusher. Auburn did all they could to flip him the day of the early signing period and came close to doing so, but a combination of the South Carolina coaches and the Greenwood coaches kept him in the Gamecock fold.
Since arriving in Columbia Lewis has been fitting in extremely well and has been impressive so far in the winter workouts. He has an excellent chance to become the starter at his end spot early on in spring practice if things stay on track.
South Carolina had six players in addition to Lewis enroll in January. The other one who wavered for a while was Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast four-star linebacker Sherrod Pittman. However, in the end, Pittman held firm despite listening to what other schools had to say for a period of time in December. The 6-foot-1, 225 pounder is still recovering from a broken leg suffered during his senior season, but the staff is hopeful he will eventually get back to full speed.
Forgotten men
Lost in all the decommitments that occurred in the last two months are some of the key players who held firm and did not waver. One such example is Bluffton (S.C.) four-star defensive end Shameik Blackshear, who had offers from several elite programs. Florida State is one program that tried to make a move with the 6-foot-5, 240 pounder, but Blackshear was set with the Gamecocks. It would have been easy for him to bail with the way the season unfolded and the coaching situation, but he didn’t take the easy road. Like Pittman, Blackshear is recovering from a season ending knee injury but still hopes to be ready to make an impact in 2015.
Another example is Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County four-star athlete Octavis Johnson, who also had several other options at his disposal. The 6-foot-1, 185 pounder is capable of helping the Gamecocks on either side of the ball, but one source believes he is most likely so start his career on the defensive side of the ball at cornerback. Damascus (Md.) four-star wide receiver Jalen Christian also comes to mind, but the 5-foot-10, 170 pounder stuck with the Gamecocks and has a chance to work his way into the rotation as a true freshman given the needs at wide receiver.
When El Dorado (Kan.) Butler C.C. three-star defensive lineman Urlic Jones was denied admission to South Carolina in January due to his math grade, he was technically recruitable and could have signed with another school today had he desired. However, he returned to Butler to fulfill his academic obligations and plans to enroll at South Carolina in June.
Given Jones’ height 6-foot-7+ and the fact that he has played offensive tackle at the high school level, I can’t rule out a potential move to the offensive side of the ball if it doesn’t look like defensive tackle is his best option. Physically, he reminds me of former South Carolina player Jarriel King, who arrived in Columbia as a defensive lineman but finished as an offensive tackle.
Steal of the class
I think there are a few candidates I could consider the “steal of the class”, including LaGrange (Ga.) three-star running back Mon Denson, Virginia Beach (Va.) Frank W. Cox three-star offensive tackle Blake Camper, and Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Chaffey College three-star safety Toure Boyd.
When all is said and done, though, I believe Opelika (Ala.) three-star defensive end Quandeski Whitlow will end up being that guy. The 6-foot-3, 225 pounder was a standout the week of the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game, and Louisville and Florida each made a strong run at him. Auburn also extended a late offer yo Whitlow, but it was too little, too late. He firmed up his pledge during his official visit to Columbia, and I believe Gamecock fans will end up being very happy he did so once he fills out physically and reaches his potential as a player.
Last second offer
South Carolina extended a last second offer to Pearl River C.C. cornerback Xavier Grindle, who led the state of Mississippi in interceptions this season. In the end, though, Grindle decided stick with his commitment to North Texas, a team he has been committed to for some time. Had the staff been able to offer him in time for him to visit, this one likely would have gone differently, but the timing of Arnette's decommitment didn't allow it. Grindle is a former member of Mississippi State's team