Beating Clemson would boost South Carolina’s recruiting efforts
Nov. 26, 2016
[COLOR= rgb(59, 59, 59)]If South Carolina is able to defeat #4 Clemson at Memorial Stadium tonight, the Tigers’ playoff hopes would be severely damaged. Considering that last year’s Gamecocks team, which was much worse than this one, played the then-#1 Tigers close in last year’s meeting at Williams-Brice, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was within striking distance - despite the fact that it’s a road game.[/COLOR]
That’s the short term effect. But what about more long-term effects, namely on recruiting?
Yes, I know that a change won’t happen overnight. But how’d you like to be Will Muschamp, Travaris Robinson or Bobby Bentley this winter/next spring after you beat your playoff-hopeful rival in a year where you were expected to rebuild but ended up making a bowl (albeit barely)? Kids take notice of things like that, and if they feel that they have a chance to put their stamp on a program that is looking to make noise in the future and has building blocks to make a run at bigger and better things, they’ll give you a look. I stress that it will take some time to get South Carolina front of mind over Clemson in the in-state pecking order, but for kids like Xavier Thomas, Dakereon Joyner, and (maybe?) Stephon Wynn, the Gamecocks beating Clemson could give them something to think about.
It goes without saying that tonight will be a big game for the Gamecocks. And that could be the case for more reasons than one.
Nov. 26, 2016
[COLOR= rgb(59, 59, 59)]If South Carolina is able to defeat #4 Clemson at Memorial Stadium tonight, the Tigers’ playoff hopes would be severely damaged. Considering that last year’s Gamecocks team, which was much worse than this one, played the then-#1 Tigers close in last year’s meeting at Williams-Brice, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was within striking distance - despite the fact that it’s a road game.[/COLOR]
That’s the short term effect. But what about more long-term effects, namely on recruiting?
Yes, I know that a change won’t happen overnight. But how’d you like to be Will Muschamp, Travaris Robinson or Bobby Bentley this winter/next spring after you beat your playoff-hopeful rival in a year where you were expected to rebuild but ended up making a bowl (albeit barely)? Kids take notice of things like that, and if they feel that they have a chance to put their stamp on a program that is looking to make noise in the future and has building blocks to make a run at bigger and better things, they’ll give you a look. I stress that it will take some time to get South Carolina front of mind over Clemson in the in-state pecking order, but for kids like Xavier Thomas, Dakereon Joyner, and (maybe?) Stephon Wynn, the Gamecocks beating Clemson could give them something to think about.
It goes without saying that tonight will be a big game for the Gamecocks. And that could be the case for more reasons than one.