Battling 2 blue bloods; Georgia guard enjoys first visit
Feb.06, 2018
Blue blood battle
The Gamecocks are neck and neck with two of college football’s blue bloods for one of the top offensive tackles in the Class of 2019.
In April, 4-star offensive tackle Michael Tarquin plans to take his first official visit to South Carolina, followed by Oklahoma, then Ohio State.
“Right now, I think there’s a possibility there may be another one in there, but I just don’t know yet,” Tarquin said.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound prospect is certain that he’s happy to be among the first wave of recruits who is permitted to take official visits during their junior year of high school. Tarquin, who attends Belleview (Fla.) High School, is familiar with all three of those programs.
South Carolina and Ohio State have had him on campus for several visits and he’s been to Oklahoma twice, but he needs one more trip to each school before he commits later this spring.
“I’m the type of guy that just wants to get this process over with earlier on; that way I can put it out of the way and just focus on my senior season,” Tarquin said. “I’m really glad I can take these officials earlier in the process.”
Where things stand
South Carolina has three 2019 offensive linemen committed. Position coach Eric Wolford told Tarquin the Gamecocks are looking to sign five in the class.
“They’ve been consistent,” Tarquin said. “Coach ‘Wolf’ is at my school it seems like every week or every other week; he’s been there a lot. Muschamp was there. They just continue to keep in contact with me.”
The interest is mutual.
“From a football aspect of things, I really like the coaches. I like Coach Wolf and Muschamp. I have a really good relationship with them,” Tarquin said. “I really like the fans as well. They’ve always been there, always loud and into it.
“Then, on the other side, I really do like the school of South Carolina. I like the city. It seems like a really cool place to live.”
Tarquin, who’s ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 30 offensive tackle in the country, visited Oklahoma in January. His first trip to Norman was in the fall for the West Virginia game.
“I like them, as well. I really like where they’re headed and Oklahoma has been very consistent, [a] very stable place. They’re always known for winning a lot. I really like [offensive line] coach [bill] Bedenbaugh. He sends me texts every day. I also like coach [Lincoln] Riley. They’ve been to my school quite a few times.”
Ohio State’s contact parallels what South Carolina’s done.
“I’ve been up there a lot. Just like South Carolina, they’ve been there since the beginning,” Tarquin said. “They were one of my early offers. I get a text from coach [urban] Meyer about every day. They’re very consistent. They’ve shown a lot of interest in me. I really like coach [Greg] Studrawa and I just love the tradition at the school and everything about it.”
Georgia guard
When South Carolina offered Riley Simonds, the 6-4, 290-pound guard didn’t know a whole lot about the Gamecocks.
Last month, Simonds made his way from Buford (Ga.) High School to Columbia, for an up-close look at what they had to offer.
“Their indoor facility and what they’re building,” he said, when asked what stood out on the trip.
“The project they’re working on. It’s a $50 million project for where they’re going to be doing everything, the weight room and the offices and team meeting room, their locker room and stuff they’re building.”
Simonds spent time chatting with Wolford, whom he had never had a chance to speak with face to face.
“It was nice talking to him, just nice meeting him, hearing what he had to say, talking with him, just learning what he’s like and how he coaches and stuff,” Simonds said.
Muschamp also had a quick chat with Simonds and his family.
“He didn’t have much time, but we just talked with him for a few minutes,” Simonds said.
The visit to South Carolina was sandwiched by trips to Virginia Tech and Alabama. All three schools have offered.
Feb.06, 2018
Blue blood battle
The Gamecocks are neck and neck with two of college football’s blue bloods for one of the top offensive tackles in the Class of 2019.
In April, 4-star offensive tackle Michael Tarquin plans to take his first official visit to South Carolina, followed by Oklahoma, then Ohio State.
“Right now, I think there’s a possibility there may be another one in there, but I just don’t know yet,” Tarquin said.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound prospect is certain that he’s happy to be among the first wave of recruits who is permitted to take official visits during their junior year of high school. Tarquin, who attends Belleview (Fla.) High School, is familiar with all three of those programs.
South Carolina and Ohio State have had him on campus for several visits and he’s been to Oklahoma twice, but he needs one more trip to each school before he commits later this spring.
“I’m the type of guy that just wants to get this process over with earlier on; that way I can put it out of the way and just focus on my senior season,” Tarquin said. “I’m really glad I can take these officials earlier in the process.”
Where things stand
South Carolina has three 2019 offensive linemen committed. Position coach Eric Wolford told Tarquin the Gamecocks are looking to sign five in the class.
“They’ve been consistent,” Tarquin said. “Coach ‘Wolf’ is at my school it seems like every week or every other week; he’s been there a lot. Muschamp was there. They just continue to keep in contact with me.”
The interest is mutual.
“From a football aspect of things, I really like the coaches. I like Coach Wolf and Muschamp. I have a really good relationship with them,” Tarquin said. “I really like the fans as well. They’ve always been there, always loud and into it.
“Then, on the other side, I really do like the school of South Carolina. I like the city. It seems like a really cool place to live.”
Tarquin, who’s ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 30 offensive tackle in the country, visited Oklahoma in January. His first trip to Norman was in the fall for the West Virginia game.
“I like them, as well. I really like where they’re headed and Oklahoma has been very consistent, [a] very stable place. They’re always known for winning a lot. I really like [offensive line] coach [bill] Bedenbaugh. He sends me texts every day. I also like coach [Lincoln] Riley. They’ve been to my school quite a few times.”
Ohio State’s contact parallels what South Carolina’s done.
“I’ve been up there a lot. Just like South Carolina, they’ve been there since the beginning,” Tarquin said. “They were one of my early offers. I get a text from coach [urban] Meyer about every day. They’re very consistent. They’ve shown a lot of interest in me. I really like coach [Greg] Studrawa and I just love the tradition at the school and everything about it.”
Georgia guard
When South Carolina offered Riley Simonds, the 6-4, 290-pound guard didn’t know a whole lot about the Gamecocks.
Last month, Simonds made his way from Buford (Ga.) High School to Columbia, for an up-close look at what they had to offer.
“Their indoor facility and what they’re building,” he said, when asked what stood out on the trip.
“The project they’re working on. It’s a $50 million project for where they’re going to be doing everything, the weight room and the offices and team meeting room, their locker room and stuff they’re building.”
Simonds spent time chatting with Wolford, whom he had never had a chance to speak with face to face.
“It was nice talking to him, just nice meeting him, hearing what he had to say, talking with him, just learning what he’s like and how he coaches and stuff,” Simonds said.
Muschamp also had a quick chat with Simonds and his family.
“He didn’t have much time, but we just talked with him for a few minutes,” Simonds said.
The visit to South Carolina was sandwiched by trips to Virginia Tech and Alabama. All three schools have offered.
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