Intel on Kaleb Chalmers and the next wave of talent from Greenwood, S.C.
Dec. 15, 2016
Clemson to Northwest Mississippi to South Carolina
No signing day announcement is the same. They’re kind of like fingerprints — each one is unique in its own way. Usually, no matter how big or how small the ceremony, something memorable happens.
That’s probably part of the allure that comes with college football recruiting.
On Wednesday, when Kaleb Chalmers sat down with a South Carolina hat at Greenwood High School, it was clear that the former Clemson cornerback, who spent several months in purgatory at Northwest Mississippi Community College, would not take any questions from the gathering of reporters and TV folks.
It’s hard to blame the guy. He’s been too busy walking the straight and narrow since March. And now that he’s just day(s) away from joining the South Carolina football team, Chalmers didn’t want to say anything that might compromise the opportunity ahead of him in Columbia.
Most recruits who do the hat deal talk. Not Chalmers.
In fact, his return to Greenwood High may have been more of a favor to his former football coach and a couple of the school’s current players — more on them in a minute.
Quite a favorable impression has been left on Dan Pippin, who was in his first season as Greenwood’s coach when Chalmers was a senior.
Kaleb Chalmers signed with South Carolina on Wednesday. (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)Pippin had plenty of good things to say about Chalmers’ parents, Anthony and Kim. Anthony, in particular, has made quite an impression. Kaleb’s father, Pippin said, has been a supporter since the first day the coach arrived from rival North Augusta High School.
Apparently, Anthony has continued to support Pippin and the program. Earlier this season, when Pippin dismissed a player from the team, Anthony made himself available.
“We had to remove him from the team,” Pippin said. “Great kid but made a mistake that a kid makes. Kaleb’s dad reached out to his family, like two days later, right after it happened and then called me.”
Anthony wanted to speak to the team.
“He was very frank with the team, with the kids, with the coaches,” Pippin said. “If you were (there) when his dad got done speaking and didn’t take something out of that, there is something wrong with you.
“It just, it was totally his dad trying to help other kids out, and he doesn’t have to do that. That’s not something he has to do. He just did it because he loves our school. He loves our program. He’s a great man.”
Anthony spoke on behalf of Kaleb, and two things were apparent: The family holds no ill-will toward Dabo Swinney and it is very grateful for the opportunity provided by Muschamp.
Names to know from Greenwood
Pippin has a pair of 2019 linemen he believes are good enough to play big-time college football.
Kobe Alexander is a 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle with a quick first step, strong punch and interesting sack celebration. Which is displayed at the 16-second mark in his sophomore highlights.
Dre Butler is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive tackle with an upside that Pippin believes is limitless.
Recruiting roundup
Wednesday was a busy day for the Gamecocks’ recruiting efforts. On top of Chalmers’ announcement was an early dislosure by fellow JUCO cornerback Keisean Nixon.
The other big newsmakers were 2017 targets Tony Gray and Javon Kinlaw.
Kinlaw, a 4-star defensive tackle out of Jones County Junior College, released a top 3of South Carolina, Alabama and Southern Cal.
“I have no specific order, but South Carolina because it’s my home school state and I love everything about the place,” Kinlaw told Phil Kornblut. “Alabama, because it’s one of the best schools in the country football and academic-wise. And Southern Cal because I have a great relationship with the D-line coach. Me and him have a relationship that I don’t have with any other coach I’ve ever spoken to. Relationships will play a big role in my college decision.”
Gray, a 4-star offensive tackle from Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., announced his official visit plans.
Dec. 15, 2016
Clemson to Northwest Mississippi to South Carolina
No signing day announcement is the same. They’re kind of like fingerprints — each one is unique in its own way. Usually, no matter how big or how small the ceremony, something memorable happens.
That’s probably part of the allure that comes with college football recruiting.
On Wednesday, when Kaleb Chalmers sat down with a South Carolina hat at Greenwood High School, it was clear that the former Clemson cornerback, who spent several months in purgatory at Northwest Mississippi Community College, would not take any questions from the gathering of reporters and TV folks.
It’s hard to blame the guy. He’s been too busy walking the straight and narrow since March. And now that he’s just day(s) away from joining the South Carolina football team, Chalmers didn’t want to say anything that might compromise the opportunity ahead of him in Columbia.
Most recruits who do the hat deal talk. Not Chalmers.
In fact, his return to Greenwood High may have been more of a favor to his former football coach and a couple of the school’s current players — more on them in a minute.
Quite a favorable impression has been left on Dan Pippin, who was in his first season as Greenwood’s coach when Chalmers was a senior.
Apparently, Anthony has continued to support Pippin and the program. Earlier this season, when Pippin dismissed a player from the team, Anthony made himself available.
“We had to remove him from the team,” Pippin said. “Great kid but made a mistake that a kid makes. Kaleb’s dad reached out to his family, like two days later, right after it happened and then called me.”
Anthony wanted to speak to the team.
“He was very frank with the team, with the kids, with the coaches,” Pippin said. “If you were (there) when his dad got done speaking and didn’t take something out of that, there is something wrong with you.
“It just, it was totally his dad trying to help other kids out, and he doesn’t have to do that. That’s not something he has to do. He just did it because he loves our school. He loves our program. He’s a great man.”
Anthony spoke on behalf of Kaleb, and two things were apparent: The family holds no ill-will toward Dabo Swinney and it is very grateful for the opportunity provided by Muschamp.
Names to know from Greenwood
Pippin has a pair of 2019 linemen he believes are good enough to play big-time college football.
Kobe Alexander is a 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle with a quick first step, strong punch and interesting sack celebration. Which is displayed at the 16-second mark in his sophomore highlights.
Dre Butler is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound offensive tackle with an upside that Pippin believes is limitless.
Recruiting roundup
Wednesday was a busy day for the Gamecocks’ recruiting efforts. On top of Chalmers’ announcement was an early dislosure by fellow JUCO cornerback Keisean Nixon.
The other big newsmakers were 2017 targets Tony Gray and Javon Kinlaw.
Kinlaw, a 4-star defensive tackle out of Jones County Junior College, released a top 3of South Carolina, Alabama and Southern Cal.
“I have no specific order, but South Carolina because it’s my home school state and I love everything about the place,” Kinlaw told Phil Kornblut. “Alabama, because it’s one of the best schools in the country football and academic-wise. And Southern Cal because I have a great relationship with the D-line coach. Me and him have a relationship that I don’t have with any other coach I’ve ever spoken to. Relationships will play a big role in my college decision.”
Gray, a 4-star offensive tackle from Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., announced his official visit plans.
