Gamecocks make strong first impression on 4-star wide receiver
March 06, 2018
With 4-star recruit Jamario Holley already committed to the 2019 signing class, South Carolina is expected to take at least one more prospect at wide receiver.
Zion Puckett, a 4-star receiver from Spalding High School in Griffin, Ga., is among the candidates for the Gamecocks. Puckett (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) is ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 44 wide receiver in the country, one spot behind Holley, who is the top-ranked member of South Carolina’s class.
On Saturday, Puckett took his first visit to South Carolina.
“What stood out to me was the coaching staff. I feel they really connect and bond with each other and I believe they will go as far as they went last year,” he said.
Muschamp and offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon were among the coaches Puckett spoke with on Saturday.
“Right now, [Muschamp] was just talking about how he could see me as a big help for the program, to get as far as they could,” Puckett said.
Puckett added, “Coach McClendon, he was telling me about all the schools on my radar and everybody at me, but he was like, deep down, just remember that — don’t let anyone talk you out of the position you want to play at the next level.”
Puckett likes the idea of playing for an offensive coordinator who’s also his position coach.
“There’s definitely a good shot of getting the ball, because he’s the offensive coordinator and [being] the wide receiver coach, that makes it better for me, then I know I’d have the opportunity to get the ball, because they get the ball in the playmakers’ hands,” Puckett said.
The direction South Carolina is headed makes a future with the Gamecocks that much more appealing to Puckett, who’s ranked as the No. 29 overall prospect in Georgia.
“I believe [Muschamp’s] turning the program around a lot and doing a lot to the facilities. They’re getting a lot of stuff redone,” Puckett said.
He’s only visited Auburn and South Carolina this year, but more visits are in the works. In the coming weeks, he hopes to see more nearby schools. Puckett plans to venture to other parts of the country this summer.
More than 20 schools have offered, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford and Texas A&M.
“At this point, I believe I’m still in the process of making my choice, but I’m keeping my eyes open,” Puckett said. “I’m staying humble and staying true to myself. Wherever I feel like home is, I’ll know when it’s home. I’ll feel the atmosphere when I step on campus.”
As a junior, Puckett caught 36 passes for 660 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also had 40 tackles, 1 interception and 1 tackle for loss.
March 06, 2018
With 4-star recruit Jamario Holley already committed to the 2019 signing class, South Carolina is expected to take at least one more prospect at wide receiver.
Zion Puckett, a 4-star receiver from Spalding High School in Griffin, Ga., is among the candidates for the Gamecocks. Puckett (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) is ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 44 wide receiver in the country, one spot behind Holley, who is the top-ranked member of South Carolina’s class.
On Saturday, Puckett took his first visit to South Carolina.
“What stood out to me was the coaching staff. I feel they really connect and bond with each other and I believe they will go as far as they went last year,” he said.
Muschamp and offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon were among the coaches Puckett spoke with on Saturday.
“Right now, [Muschamp] was just talking about how he could see me as a big help for the program, to get as far as they could,” Puckett said.
Puckett added, “Coach McClendon, he was telling me about all the schools on my radar and everybody at me, but he was like, deep down, just remember that — don’t let anyone talk you out of the position you want to play at the next level.”
Puckett likes the idea of playing for an offensive coordinator who’s also his position coach.
“There’s definitely a good shot of getting the ball, because he’s the offensive coordinator and [being] the wide receiver coach, that makes it better for me, then I know I’d have the opportunity to get the ball, because they get the ball in the playmakers’ hands,” Puckett said.
The direction South Carolina is headed makes a future with the Gamecocks that much more appealing to Puckett, who’s ranked as the No. 29 overall prospect in Georgia.
“I believe [Muschamp’s] turning the program around a lot and doing a lot to the facilities. They’re getting a lot of stuff redone,” Puckett said.
He’s only visited Auburn and South Carolina this year, but more visits are in the works. In the coming weeks, he hopes to see more nearby schools. Puckett plans to venture to other parts of the country this summer.
More than 20 schools have offered, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford and Texas A&M.
“At this point, I believe I’m still in the process of making my choice, but I’m keeping my eyes open,” Puckett said. “I’m staying humble and staying true to myself. Wherever I feel like home is, I’ll know when it’s home. I’ll feel the atmosphere when I step on campus.”
As a junior, Puckett caught 36 passes for 660 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also had 40 tackles, 1 interception and 1 tackle for loss.
