With 23 prospects scheduled to be on campus, South Carolina has its big official visitors weekend this weekend.
Here’s a look at the five biggest.
1. Arden Key, DE, Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter
Key is one of the top defensive end prospects in the country and has committed to and de-committed from South Carolina twice during the process. LSU is charging hard for the 6-foot-5, 230-pound pass rusher as new Tigers defensive line coach and recruiting ace Ed Orgeron has made up a ton of ground in a short time. Georgia also remains in the mix, along with Auburn. Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, however, has nearly four years of relationship-building time, and while there is work to be done to keep Key in the fold, this weekend could solidify things as long as it goes well on both sides. Key is the No. 4 weakside defensive end prospect in the 2015 class. Is a high-four star recruit.
2. Quandeski Whitlow, DE, Opelika (Ala.)
Whitlow is a stock-up prospect this cycle who is getting a hard push from Louisville, where he officially visited this past weekend. The 6-foot-3, 221-pounder came out of his visit with the Cardinals “50-50” between UofL and the Gamecocks, to whom he has been committed since June 16. This weekend will give South Carolina a chance to top the Louisville visit and solidify Whitlow’s pledge though national signing day. Whitlow is the No. 29 weakside defensive end prospect nationallyis a mid three-star recruit .
3. Damon Arnette, CB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
Michigan, and to a lesser extent Ohio State, have both been pushing for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Arnette. He took an official visit to Ann Arbor last weekend and came away with good things to say about the Wolverines and he will head to Columbus on the weekend of Jan. 30. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, defensive backs coach Grady Brown and Ward all were in the home of Arnette this week pre-official visit and the returns were good. This weekend presents an opportunity for the Gamecocks to solidify this pledge. Arnette is the No. 60 cornerback prospect nationally. He is a mid three-star recruit.
4. Christian Pellage, OT, Brooksville (Fla.) Nature Coast
Like Whitlow and Arnette, there has been some competition for Pellage of late as Florida, where he officially visited last weekend, has been making a push for the Under Armour All-American tackle. While the Gators definitely gave Pellage something to think about, this official visit, provided all goes well, could basically end his recruitment and lock him up for South Carolina. He hasn’t been as open to switching as some of the other prospects that the Gamecocks are fighting to hold on to. Pellage is the No. 27 offensive tackle prospect in the 2015 cycle. Is a four-star recruit
5. Rashad Fenton, CB, Opa Locka (Fla.) Carol City
Fenton has been a big riser this cycle and during his senior season and the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder just picked up an offer from Florida State today. South Carolina has a need at defensive back and would love to add Fenton to the fold, but it will take a “great” visit for the Gamecocks to do so and the offer from the Seminoles does not help their cause. Still, only two weeks remain in the cycle and South Carolina is in the mix and has a shot. Fenton is the No. 80 cornerback prospect.
Here’s a look at the five biggest.
1. Arden Key, DE, Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter
Key is one of the top defensive end prospects in the country and has committed to and de-committed from South Carolina twice during the process. LSU is charging hard for the 6-foot-5, 230-pound pass rusher as new Tigers defensive line coach and recruiting ace Ed Orgeron has made up a ton of ground in a short time. Georgia also remains in the mix, along with Auburn. Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, however, has nearly four years of relationship-building time, and while there is work to be done to keep Key in the fold, this weekend could solidify things as long as it goes well on both sides. Key is the No. 4 weakside defensive end prospect in the 2015 class. Is a high-four star recruit.
2. Quandeski Whitlow, DE, Opelika (Ala.)
Whitlow is a stock-up prospect this cycle who is getting a hard push from Louisville, where he officially visited this past weekend. The 6-foot-3, 221-pounder came out of his visit with the Cardinals “50-50” between UofL and the Gamecocks, to whom he has been committed since June 16. This weekend will give South Carolina a chance to top the Louisville visit and solidify Whitlow’s pledge though national signing day. Whitlow is the No. 29 weakside defensive end prospect nationallyis a mid three-star recruit .
3. Damon Arnette, CB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
Michigan, and to a lesser extent Ohio State, have both been pushing for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Arnette. He took an official visit to Ann Arbor last weekend and came away with good things to say about the Wolverines and he will head to Columbus on the weekend of Jan. 30. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, defensive backs coach Grady Brown and Ward all were in the home of Arnette this week pre-official visit and the returns were good. This weekend presents an opportunity for the Gamecocks to solidify this pledge. Arnette is the No. 60 cornerback prospect nationally. He is a mid three-star recruit.
4. Christian Pellage, OT, Brooksville (Fla.) Nature Coast
Like Whitlow and Arnette, there has been some competition for Pellage of late as Florida, where he officially visited last weekend, has been making a push for the Under Armour All-American tackle. While the Gators definitely gave Pellage something to think about, this official visit, provided all goes well, could basically end his recruitment and lock him up for South Carolina. He hasn’t been as open to switching as some of the other prospects that the Gamecocks are fighting to hold on to. Pellage is the No. 27 offensive tackle prospect in the 2015 cycle. Is a four-star recruit
5. Rashad Fenton, CB, Opa Locka (Fla.) Carol City
Fenton has been a big riser this cycle and during his senior season and the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder just picked up an offer from Florida State today. South Carolina has a need at defensive back and would love to add Fenton to the fold, but it will take a “great” visit for the Gamecocks to do so and the offer from the Seminoles does not help their cause. Still, only two weeks remain in the cycle and South Carolina is in the mix and has a shot. Fenton is the No. 80 cornerback prospect.