[SIZE= 24px][COLOR= rgb(178, 34, 34)]Gamecocks class breakdown: Steals, sleepers and more[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR= rgb(178, 34, 34)]Feb. 8, 2015[/COLOR]
South Carolina’s 2015 signing class ranks among the nation’s top 25, something that’s happened every year under Steve Spurrier (11 classes). The group ranks No. 19 by Rivals, No. 21 by ESPN and No. 20 by Scout. As a whole, USC ranks No. 19 in the 247Sports Composite, which factors in all networks.
South Carolina’s 2015 signing class ranks among the nation’s top 25, something that’s happened every year under Steve Spurrier (11 classes). The group ranks No. 19 by Rivals, No. 21 by ESPN and No. 20 by Scout. As a whole, USC ranks No. 19 in the 247Sports Composite, which factors in all networks.
BEST IN CLASS
Zack Bailey and Christian Pellage: The two offensive linemen will be impact players in years to come, and their importance to the class was heightened by their publicly firm commitments while others flipped their pledges once USC’s season ended. Bailey (72) finished the highest-ranked prospect in the Rivals250, while Pellage (138), and Under Armour All-American, was the highest-regarded Gamecock in the ESPN300.
Shameik Blackshear: The Bluffton defensive end burst onto the scene in 2012 as a sophomore with 97 tackles (17 for loss). He was so impressive at a Rivals camp later that year that he earned five-star status and drew comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney. He since has battled injuries but could prove to be worthy of those earlier accolades.
Marquavius Lewis: From Greenwood, Lewis grew up and grew into the nation’s top junior college defensive end while at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He had 21 quarterback hurries, 20.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks last season. He’s a five-star talent, according to Scout, making him the only player in USC’s 2015 class with that distinction.
IMMEDIATE HELP
Defensive line: Lewis could prove ready-made to step in and start right away at defensive end. He’s 6-foot-3, 266 pounds and has two seasons of junior college experience. In addition, Dante Sawyer, Ulric Jones, Devante Covington and Dexter Wideman are older players who will battle for early playing time. Blackshear has a shot if healthy.
Toure Boyd: From coast to coast, California to Carolina, the junior college safety was a late addition to the class but someone who could step in right away and provide more consistent physical play at safety.
Lorenzo Nunez: He’s one of the highest-rated quarterbacks to sign under Steve Spurrier, the nation’s 10th-best dual threat talent. He’s more advanced as a runner and needs time to develop as a passer. That running ability, however, could be his ticket to playing time in 2015.
Tight ends: South Carolina played three tight ends in 2014, and two (Rory Anderson, Cody Gibson) are gone. Between Connor Redmond and Kyle Markway, one could have a chance to crack the depth chart with a strong summer – but probably not both.
STEALS
Sherrod Pittman: Many thought the four-star Jacksonville linebacker was Florida-bound before he committed to USC in 2013. He had 97 tackles (21 for loss) before breaking his leg this season and could find the field as a freshman if he’s fully healed.
Jalen Christian: USC was the first to offer the versatile Christian and scooped him away from the home-state Maryland Terrapins and other programs. He played running back, receiver and defensive back in high school. USC likes the four-star talent as a receiver and someone who can contribute in the return game – possibly right away.
SLEEPERS
Octavis Johnson: At 6-foot-1, 181 pounds, the south Georgia standout could play receiver or cornerback but is likely bound for defense.
Quandeski Whitlow: He’s not as highly rated as some of the other ends in the class, but Whitlow has size (6-foot-3) and a motor (27 QB hurries in 2014) and could end up being a surprise grab out of Alabama.
Daniel Fennell: USC isn’t in dire need of linebackers in 2015, but Fennell is a larger player (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) regarded for his length and strength.
Christian Owens: At 6-foot-5, he’s on campus and the tallest receiver on the team. Can he leverage his height into a productive career with the Gamecocks?
Jerad Washington: He was impressive in camps, productive in high school and regarded as a smart player. At 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, he will try to follow in the footsteps of successful, smaller receivers such as Ace Sanders and Damiere Byrd.
GET HEALTHY
Darin Smalls: The Summerville product has been away from football for almost two years. An ACL tear ended his senior season (2013), then he didn’t qualify with the 2014 class as expected. He needs to show he’s physically and mentally healthy.
Blackshear: Injuries slowed his junior year and all but wiped out his senior season. He was once considered by Rivals as the No. 15 prospect in the country. He’s still considered a four-star talent but is no longer in the Rivals250. Can he stay healthy and build on his breakout 2012 season?
MISSES
South Carolina lost nine commitments from the class, with eight coming since October. Those lost were: defensive ends Arden Key and Chauncey Rivers; linebacker Davon Durant; offensive linemen Austin Clark, Paris Palmer and Jozie Milton; and defensive backs Damon Arnette, Jaire Alexander and Mark Fields.
Fields, considered an elite cornerback, broke a longtime pledge to USC and chose Clemson. The loss of Clark (to Virgnia Tech) and Palmer (to Penn State) hurt because both were highly touted prospects expected to play tackle.
BY POSITION
Quarterback: 1; Running back: 2; Wide receiver: 4; Offensive line: 5; Tight end: 2; Defensive end: 5; Defensive tackle: 2; Linebacker: 4; Defensive backs: 5; Kicker: 1; Punter: 1.
BY STATE
Georgia 11; South Carolina 6; Florida 5; Alabama 3; Maryland 2; Virginia 2; California 1; Missouri 1, North Carolina 1.
[COLOR= rgb(178, 34, 34)]Feb. 8, 2015[/COLOR]
South Carolina’s 2015 signing class ranks among the nation’s top 25, something that’s happened every year under Steve Spurrier (11 classes). The group ranks No. 19 by Rivals, No. 21 by ESPN and No. 20 by Scout. As a whole, USC ranks No. 19 in the 247Sports Composite, which factors in all networks.
South Carolina’s 2015 signing class ranks among the nation’s top 25, something that’s happened every year under Steve Spurrier (11 classes). The group ranks No. 19 by Rivals, No. 21 by ESPN and No. 20 by Scout. As a whole, USC ranks No. 19 in the 247Sports Composite, which factors in all networks.
BEST IN CLASS
Zack Bailey and Christian Pellage: The two offensive linemen will be impact players in years to come, and their importance to the class was heightened by their publicly firm commitments while others flipped their pledges once USC’s season ended. Bailey (72) finished the highest-ranked prospect in the Rivals250, while Pellage (138), and Under Armour All-American, was the highest-regarded Gamecock in the ESPN300.
Shameik Blackshear: The Bluffton defensive end burst onto the scene in 2012 as a sophomore with 97 tackles (17 for loss). He was so impressive at a Rivals camp later that year that he earned five-star status and drew comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney. He since has battled injuries but could prove to be worthy of those earlier accolades.
Marquavius Lewis: From Greenwood, Lewis grew up and grew into the nation’s top junior college defensive end while at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He had 21 quarterback hurries, 20.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks last season. He’s a five-star talent, according to Scout, making him the only player in USC’s 2015 class with that distinction.
IMMEDIATE HELP
Defensive line: Lewis could prove ready-made to step in and start right away at defensive end. He’s 6-foot-3, 266 pounds and has two seasons of junior college experience. In addition, Dante Sawyer, Ulric Jones, Devante Covington and Dexter Wideman are older players who will battle for early playing time. Blackshear has a shot if healthy.
Toure Boyd: From coast to coast, California to Carolina, the junior college safety was a late addition to the class but someone who could step in right away and provide more consistent physical play at safety.
Lorenzo Nunez: He’s one of the highest-rated quarterbacks to sign under Steve Spurrier, the nation’s 10th-best dual threat talent. He’s more advanced as a runner and needs time to develop as a passer. That running ability, however, could be his ticket to playing time in 2015.
Tight ends: South Carolina played three tight ends in 2014, and two (Rory Anderson, Cody Gibson) are gone. Between Connor Redmond and Kyle Markway, one could have a chance to crack the depth chart with a strong summer – but probably not both.
STEALS
Sherrod Pittman: Many thought the four-star Jacksonville linebacker was Florida-bound before he committed to USC in 2013. He had 97 tackles (21 for loss) before breaking his leg this season and could find the field as a freshman if he’s fully healed.
Jalen Christian: USC was the first to offer the versatile Christian and scooped him away from the home-state Maryland Terrapins and other programs. He played running back, receiver and defensive back in high school. USC likes the four-star talent as a receiver and someone who can contribute in the return game – possibly right away.
SLEEPERS
Octavis Johnson: At 6-foot-1, 181 pounds, the south Georgia standout could play receiver or cornerback but is likely bound for defense.
Quandeski Whitlow: He’s not as highly rated as some of the other ends in the class, but Whitlow has size (6-foot-3) and a motor (27 QB hurries in 2014) and could end up being a surprise grab out of Alabama.
Daniel Fennell: USC isn’t in dire need of linebackers in 2015, but Fennell is a larger player (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) regarded for his length and strength.
Christian Owens: At 6-foot-5, he’s on campus and the tallest receiver on the team. Can he leverage his height into a productive career with the Gamecocks?
Jerad Washington: He was impressive in camps, productive in high school and regarded as a smart player. At 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, he will try to follow in the footsteps of successful, smaller receivers such as Ace Sanders and Damiere Byrd.
GET HEALTHY
Darin Smalls: The Summerville product has been away from football for almost two years. An ACL tear ended his senior season (2013), then he didn’t qualify with the 2014 class as expected. He needs to show he’s physically and mentally healthy.
Blackshear: Injuries slowed his junior year and all but wiped out his senior season. He was once considered by Rivals as the No. 15 prospect in the country. He’s still considered a four-star talent but is no longer in the Rivals250. Can he stay healthy and build on his breakout 2012 season?
MISSES
South Carolina lost nine commitments from the class, with eight coming since October. Those lost were: defensive ends Arden Key and Chauncey Rivers; linebacker Davon Durant; offensive linemen Austin Clark, Paris Palmer and Jozie Milton; and defensive backs Damon Arnette, Jaire Alexander and Mark Fields.
Fields, considered an elite cornerback, broke a longtime pledge to USC and chose Clemson. The loss of Clark (to Virgnia Tech) and Palmer (to Penn State) hurt because both were highly touted prospects expected to play tackle.
BY POSITION
Quarterback: 1; Running back: 2; Wide receiver: 4; Offensive line: 5; Tight end: 2; Defensive end: 5; Defensive tackle: 2; Linebacker: 4; Defensive backs: 5; Kicker: 1; Punter: 1.
BY STATE
Georgia 11; South Carolina 6; Florida 5; Alabama 3; Maryland 2; Virginia 2; California 1; Missouri 1, North Carolina 1.