How many offensive players will Gamecocks take in 2018?
Feb. 09, 2017
In each of his first two recruiting cycles at South Carolina, coach Will Muschamp nearly went full-bore, signing 24 prospects to national letters of intent.
However, the Gamecocks second-year head coach isn’t expected to announce that big of a class when he introduces the 2018 haul next February.
As things stand right now, a little over two weeks before the start of spring practice, South Carolina is expected to have 11 scholarship seniors on the 2017 roster. But seven players have transferred since the end of last season, so the working number for the 2018 signing class is likely to be closer to 20.
Just over 11 months before signing day, SEC Country projects the numbers South Carolina could sign for each offensive position in 2018.
Quarterback: 1-2
Four-star Dakereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C.) was a regular visitor on the South Carolina campus last year, and he’s set to make his decision public on Father’s Day. The Gamecocks remain the perceived favorite.
Though we’re not in the business of projecting transfers, there are a couple of candidates at the position, thanks to the emergence of Jake Bentley, who will be a sophomore in 2017.
Because of the potential future of the position and the number of quarterback offers passed out by the coaches, South Carolina could be in line to take two quarterbacks in 2018.
2017 signee(s): Jay Urich
Running back: 1-2
Four-star Master Teague III (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) isn’t just a 2018 All-Name team candidate. He’s also a big-time prospect for a handful of SEC teams, including South Carolina. Gamecocks coaches already have hosted him for multiple visits.
Led by Rico Dowdle, A.J. Turner and Ty’Son Williams, the state of the running back position at South Carolina is nice and rosy. Former Wisconsin running back Caleb Kinlaw was added to the fold last month as a walk-on.
David Williams, who will play a graduate season at UConn, has already left the program. As is the case at quarterback, there could be some more attrition from the running back group.
2017 signee(s): None
Wide receiver: 2-3
Nearly 20 wide receivers from the 2018 cycle have landed an offer from South Carolina, several of whom are in-state prospects: Demarcus Gregory (Duncan), Sam Pinckney (Greenwood), Darius Rush (Greeleyville) and Dennis Smith (Gaffney).
Lorenzo Nunez and Jamari Smith are among the post-2016 departures, so there should be room for multiple receivers to brought on board next February. With a productive redshirt junior campaign, Deebo Samuel could test the NFL draft waters in 2018.
2017 signee(s): OrTre Smith, Shi Smith, Chad Terrell
Offensive line: 3-4
The South Carolina offensive line board has been written about several times over the last couple of months, and for good reason.
After 2017, the Gamecocks will lose three offensive linemen, two of them starters: Alan Knott (center) and Cory Helms (right guard). The third, D.J. Park, served most of last season as a reserve tackle. A third starter, left guard Zack Bailey, will be draft eligible after he completes his junior season.
Just as it was in 2017, look for the 2018 recruiting class to be heavy on offensive linemen.
RELATED: Updating the Gamecocks’ efforts to help fill the trenches | The biggest needs in 2018
2017 signee(s): Summie Carlay, Jordon Carty, Dennis Daley, Eric Douglas, Jordan Rhodes
Tight end: 1-2
Several promising prospects already have landed an offer from the Gamecocks, including Gavin Shoenwald (Brentwood, Tenn.), Katerian Legrone (Atlanta), Jacob Warrren (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Zach Sheffer (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.).
For the short-term, the tight end position is in good hands, with Hayden Hurst, K.C. Crosby and Jacob August. But South Carolina will need to continue to build numbers for the future.
The future of the position does have some promise. As a freshman in 2016, Kiel Pollard played sparingly, but he did gain some experience to build on. Fellow 2016 signee Evan Hinson will see his first snaps this fall.
With the retirement by Robert Tucker, the third 2016 tight end to sign with South Carolina, there could be multiple takes at the position in 2018.
2017 signee(s): Will Register
Feb. 09, 2017
In each of his first two recruiting cycles at South Carolina, coach Will Muschamp nearly went full-bore, signing 24 prospects to national letters of intent.
However, the Gamecocks second-year head coach isn’t expected to announce that big of a class when he introduces the 2018 haul next February.
As things stand right now, a little over two weeks before the start of spring practice, South Carolina is expected to have 11 scholarship seniors on the 2017 roster. But seven players have transferred since the end of last season, so the working number for the 2018 signing class is likely to be closer to 20.
Just over 11 months before signing day, SEC Country projects the numbers South Carolina could sign for each offensive position in 2018.
Quarterback: 1-2
Four-star Dakereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C.) was a regular visitor on the South Carolina campus last year, and he’s set to make his decision public on Father’s Day. The Gamecocks remain the perceived favorite.
Though we’re not in the business of projecting transfers, there are a couple of candidates at the position, thanks to the emergence of Jake Bentley, who will be a sophomore in 2017.
Because of the potential future of the position and the number of quarterback offers passed out by the coaches, South Carolina could be in line to take two quarterbacks in 2018.
2017 signee(s): Jay Urich
Running back: 1-2
Four-star Master Teague III (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) isn’t just a 2018 All-Name team candidate. He’s also a big-time prospect for a handful of SEC teams, including South Carolina. Gamecocks coaches already have hosted him for multiple visits.
Led by Rico Dowdle, A.J. Turner and Ty’Son Williams, the state of the running back position at South Carolina is nice and rosy. Former Wisconsin running back Caleb Kinlaw was added to the fold last month as a walk-on.
David Williams, who will play a graduate season at UConn, has already left the program. As is the case at quarterback, there could be some more attrition from the running back group.
2017 signee(s): None
Wide receiver: 2-3
Nearly 20 wide receivers from the 2018 cycle have landed an offer from South Carolina, several of whom are in-state prospects: Demarcus Gregory (Duncan), Sam Pinckney (Greenwood), Darius Rush (Greeleyville) and Dennis Smith (Gaffney).
Lorenzo Nunez and Jamari Smith are among the post-2016 departures, so there should be room for multiple receivers to brought on board next February. With a productive redshirt junior campaign, Deebo Samuel could test the NFL draft waters in 2018.
2017 signee(s): OrTre Smith, Shi Smith, Chad Terrell
Offensive line: 3-4
The South Carolina offensive line board has been written about several times over the last couple of months, and for good reason.
After 2017, the Gamecocks will lose three offensive linemen, two of them starters: Alan Knott (center) and Cory Helms (right guard). The third, D.J. Park, served most of last season as a reserve tackle. A third starter, left guard Zack Bailey, will be draft eligible after he completes his junior season.
Just as it was in 2017, look for the 2018 recruiting class to be heavy on offensive linemen.
RELATED: Updating the Gamecocks’ efforts to help fill the trenches | The biggest needs in 2018
2017 signee(s): Summie Carlay, Jordon Carty, Dennis Daley, Eric Douglas, Jordan Rhodes
Tight end: 1-2
Several promising prospects already have landed an offer from the Gamecocks, including Gavin Shoenwald (Brentwood, Tenn.), Katerian Legrone (Atlanta), Jacob Warrren (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Zach Sheffer (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.).
For the short-term, the tight end position is in good hands, with Hayden Hurst, K.C. Crosby and Jacob August. But South Carolina will need to continue to build numbers for the future.
The future of the position does have some promise. As a freshman in 2016, Kiel Pollard played sparingly, but he did gain some experience to build on. Fellow 2016 signee Evan Hinson will see his first snaps this fall.
With the retirement by Robert Tucker, the third 2016 tight end to sign with South Carolina, there could be multiple takes at the position in 2018.
2017 signee(s): Will Register
