[COLOR= rgb(178, 34, 34)][SIZE= 24px]Gamecocks’ recruiting outlook: 2016 class heavy on offense so far[/COLOR]
April 24, 2015[/SIZE]
South Carolina has five commitments and counting for its football Class of 2016.
The early group includes a quarterback, running back and two receivers to go with one linebacker. The class is expected to total around 20 to 22 members.
The Gamecocks are No. 27 in the 247Sports Composite ranking, which factors in all networks.
Here is an updated position-by-position look at this year’s recruiting class and outlook. (Star ratings are from 247Sports Composite.)
Related
QUARTERBACKS (signing 1)
Committed: Four-star QB Brandon McIlwain pledged to USC on Dec. 31. The dual-threat signal caller as a junior passed for 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Outlook: One is usually the magic number when it comes to QBs, so McIlwain should be the lone QB signee of the 2016 group. Recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. said: “We have a good one committed. We think we’re in good shape.”
RUNNING BACKS (signing 1 or 2)
Committed: Four-star tailback C.J. Freeman of Greensboro, N.C., committed March 28 as part of a junior day event. The last two seasons he has rushed for 3,800 yards and 48 touchdowns in leading his team to state championships.
Outlook: USC is one of around 30 schools that offered Elijah Holyfield (four stars) of Atlanta and continues to recruit Clemson commit Tavien Feaster (five stars) of Spartanburg, among others.
WIDE RECEIVERS (signing 3 or 4)
Committed: Kyle Davis (four stars), considered a top 40 player nationally by 247Sports and ESPN, committed to USC in July. Davis is from Archer High in Lawrenceville, Ga. Bryan Edwards (three stars) picked the Gamecocks March 28 during a junior day event and is the team's lone instate pledge at this point.
Outlook: USC could add two more here. Brad Hawkins (four stars) of Camden, N.J., and Larry Collins (three stars) of Hopkins, SC, are top targets. One signee here or another position ideally will be an all-purpose player with speed, Spurrier Jr. said: “There needs to be a real fast guy in this class: athlete, running back, wide receiver or DB. We’re going to try to identify a pure fast guy and put him in this class somewhere. There will be a spot for that guy.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (signing 4 or 5)
Committed: None
Outlook: USC has more than 30 offers out to tackles or guards for this class, according to 247Sports. John Simpson (four stars) of North Charleston, SC, has offers from Alabama and Florida, but his situation could end up being an instate battle between USC and Clemson. One or two players in the final group could be from the junior college ranks.
TIGHT ENDS (signing 1 or 2)
Committed: None
Outlook: Naseir Upshur (four stars) of Philadelphia is a top target and one of the nation’s best. USC also recently offered Thaddeus Moss (three stars) of Charlotte. He’s the son of former NFL star Randy Moss. USC was the first to offer Jordan Giberti (not rated) of Gainesville, Fla., as a tight end. “If we can sign two that can be good,” Spurrier Jr. said. “Typically that’s a guy that can do a bunch of things: H-back, special teams, a different kind of guy.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (signing 3 to 5)
Committed: None
Outlook: Kalan Ritchie (originally in 2014 class) is on track to join USC again in the Class of 2016. The defensive end is heading into his second year at Georgia Military. USC also is targeting instate defensive end Javon Kinlaw (four stars, Goose Creek) and tackle Nyles Pinckney (four stars, Whale Branch). After those three, USC is still battling other schools to make the cut with around 15 to 20 other linemen, including tackle Antwuan Jackson (four stars), who is the half-brother of USC sophomore linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams. “D-line is always a position, if there’s a great player out there, we keep recruiting him to the very end and make room,” Spurrier Jr. said. “Those guys are absolute difference-makers in the game.”
LINEBACKERS (signing 1 to 3)
Committed: JaCorey Morris (three stars) committed to USC back in August out of Grove Hill, Ala.
Outlook: USC could add one or two more here, particularly seeking guys who can also play special teams. TJ Brunson (three stars) of nearby Richland Northeast nearly committed to USC recently but a pledge no longer appears to be imminent. Kenneth Ruff (three stars) of Fort Lauderdale and Jeremiah Moon (four stars) of Birmingham, Ala., consider USC among their favorites.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (signing 3 to 4)
Committed: None
Outlook: USC has extended a dozen or so offers to defensive backs so far, including instate safety Thomas Jones (three stars) of Laurens. “You typically want to start with corners,” Spurrier Jr. said. “You want to sign a big corner who can grow into a safety. Occasionally you’ll sign a big safety that can move to linebacker.”
April 24, 2015[/SIZE]
South Carolina has five commitments and counting for its football Class of 2016.
The early group includes a quarterback, running back and two receivers to go with one linebacker. The class is expected to total around 20 to 22 members.
The Gamecocks are No. 27 in the 247Sports Composite ranking, which factors in all networks.
Here is an updated position-by-position look at this year’s recruiting class and outlook. (Star ratings are from 247Sports Composite.)
Related
QUARTERBACKS (signing 1)
Committed: Four-star QB Brandon McIlwain pledged to USC on Dec. 31. The dual-threat signal caller as a junior passed for 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Outlook: One is usually the magic number when it comes to QBs, so McIlwain should be the lone QB signee of the 2016 group. Recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. said: “We have a good one committed. We think we’re in good shape.”
RUNNING BACKS (signing 1 or 2)
Committed: Four-star tailback C.J. Freeman of Greensboro, N.C., committed March 28 as part of a junior day event. The last two seasons he has rushed for 3,800 yards and 48 touchdowns in leading his team to state championships.
Outlook: USC is one of around 30 schools that offered Elijah Holyfield (four stars) of Atlanta and continues to recruit Clemson commit Tavien Feaster (five stars) of Spartanburg, among others.
WIDE RECEIVERS (signing 3 or 4)
Committed: Kyle Davis (four stars), considered a top 40 player nationally by 247Sports and ESPN, committed to USC in July. Davis is from Archer High in Lawrenceville, Ga. Bryan Edwards (three stars) picked the Gamecocks March 28 during a junior day event and is the team's lone instate pledge at this point.
Outlook: USC could add two more here. Brad Hawkins (four stars) of Camden, N.J., and Larry Collins (three stars) of Hopkins, SC, are top targets. One signee here or another position ideally will be an all-purpose player with speed, Spurrier Jr. said: “There needs to be a real fast guy in this class: athlete, running back, wide receiver or DB. We’re going to try to identify a pure fast guy and put him in this class somewhere. There will be a spot for that guy.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (signing 4 or 5)
Committed: None
Outlook: USC has more than 30 offers out to tackles or guards for this class, according to 247Sports. John Simpson (four stars) of North Charleston, SC, has offers from Alabama and Florida, but his situation could end up being an instate battle between USC and Clemson. One or two players in the final group could be from the junior college ranks.
TIGHT ENDS (signing 1 or 2)
Committed: None
Outlook: Naseir Upshur (four stars) of Philadelphia is a top target and one of the nation’s best. USC also recently offered Thaddeus Moss (three stars) of Charlotte. He’s the son of former NFL star Randy Moss. USC was the first to offer Jordan Giberti (not rated) of Gainesville, Fla., as a tight end. “If we can sign two that can be good,” Spurrier Jr. said. “Typically that’s a guy that can do a bunch of things: H-back, special teams, a different kind of guy.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (signing 3 to 5)
Committed: None
Outlook: Kalan Ritchie (originally in 2014 class) is on track to join USC again in the Class of 2016. The defensive end is heading into his second year at Georgia Military. USC also is targeting instate defensive end Javon Kinlaw (four stars, Goose Creek) and tackle Nyles Pinckney (four stars, Whale Branch). After those three, USC is still battling other schools to make the cut with around 15 to 20 other linemen, including tackle Antwuan Jackson (four stars), who is the half-brother of USC sophomore linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams. “D-line is always a position, if there’s a great player out there, we keep recruiting him to the very end and make room,” Spurrier Jr. said. “Those guys are absolute difference-makers in the game.”
LINEBACKERS (signing 1 to 3)
Committed: JaCorey Morris (three stars) committed to USC back in August out of Grove Hill, Ala.
Outlook: USC could add one or two more here, particularly seeking guys who can also play special teams. TJ Brunson (three stars) of nearby Richland Northeast nearly committed to USC recently but a pledge no longer appears to be imminent. Kenneth Ruff (three stars) of Fort Lauderdale and Jeremiah Moon (four stars) of Birmingham, Ala., consider USC among their favorites.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (signing 3 to 4)
Committed: None
Outlook: USC has extended a dozen or so offers to defensive backs so far, including instate safety Thomas Jones (three stars) of Laurens. “You typically want to start with corners,” Spurrier Jr. said. “You want to sign a big corner who can grow into a safety. Occasionally you’ll sign a big safety that can move to linebacker.”
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