National Signing Day Notebook
FEBRUARY 1, 2017
USC landed the last of the state’s top undecided prospects in DE Brad Johnson of Pendleton. Johnson chose the Gamecocks over Virginia Tech. He also strongly considered Tennessee, Texas A&M and Mississippi State during the process. USC build a lead for Johnson once Will Muschamp started to recruit him last year. But Virginia Tech made a strong push, to the point that Johnson held off on making his decision all the way to the end after thinking he would commit prior to the season. Johnson is just 17 years old and his coach, Paul Sutherland, feels his upside is huge. “He’s very fast and explosive. His ability to run and his length are big. He has a very good motor and is tough enough to rush the passer. Johnson had 13 sacks and 50 tackles this season, and rushed for 800 yards. He also won the state triple jump last spring.
USC won the recruiting battle with Tennessee for DE Aaron Sterling (6-2 260) of Tucker, GA. Sterling, a one-time Alabama commitment, is regarded as one of the top players in Georgia and one of the top defensive end prospects in the country. “It just came down to praying about it, asking God to help me, asking my parents to help me, and they just showing me that South Carolina was the place for me to be. Me and coach T-Rob, Coach P, and Coach Muschamp, we all have a good relationship with each other. I like the players. It’s a good family environment, ,it’s like me going home. Sterling with have an immediate chance to earn playing time at defensive end with the Gamecocks. “He’s very athletic, very fast,” said his coach Bryan Lamar. “He’s also powerful and can power rush and speed rush.” Sterling camped at USC last summer and made several unofficial visits as well.
OL Jordon Carty (6-7 305) of Hollywood, FL signed with USC over Mississippi State. Carty, a native of Jamaica, had been strongly favoring the Gamecocks throughout the season after camping with them last summer. He made his official visit last weekend. “Ain’t nobody going to work harder,” said South Broward defensive coordinator Junior Rosegreen who worked closely with Carty on his recruiting. “He ha a defensive player’s mentality. If he controls it a little bit, he’ll be a monster. He loves to finish. When he grabs you, it’s over.” Carty gives the Gamecocks five offensive linemen in the class.
DL Jayvon Kinlaw (6-7 330) , a Goose Creek native who played last season at Jones County JC, MS, signed with USC. He committed to the Gamecocks while in high school and held to that pledge until December when he decommitted. He also considered Alabama and Southern Cal but by the end of his official visit to USC last weekend, he was ready to rejoin the Gamecocks’ class. Kinlaw was an Army All America and a Shrine Bowler as a high school senior.
DE Robert Beal of Suwanee, GA, who played last season at IMG Academy in Florida, signed with Georgia. He visited USC last weekend and while he enjoyed the visit, he said afterwards he was 100% with the Bulldogs and he followed thru on that today.
DE Jaylen Twyman of Washington, DC signed with Pitt over USC.
DE Chrishawn Wilson of West Florence signed with Charlotte.
USC offered DB Kwantel Raines of Aliquippa, PA. He also has offers from Penn State, Pitt and West Virginia.
DB Latheron Rogers-Anderson of Ridge View signed with Western Kentucky.
2017 QB Drew Dinsmore (6-6 210) of Atlanta announced he will walk-on at USC with an invite from Will Muschamp to join the program and compete for a scholarship. He was offered by Cornell and Eastern Kentucky.
FEBRUARY 1, 2017
USC landed the last of the state’s top undecided prospects in DE Brad Johnson of Pendleton. Johnson chose the Gamecocks over Virginia Tech. He also strongly considered Tennessee, Texas A&M and Mississippi State during the process. USC build a lead for Johnson once Will Muschamp started to recruit him last year. But Virginia Tech made a strong push, to the point that Johnson held off on making his decision all the way to the end after thinking he would commit prior to the season. Johnson is just 17 years old and his coach, Paul Sutherland, feels his upside is huge. “He’s very fast and explosive. His ability to run and his length are big. He has a very good motor and is tough enough to rush the passer. Johnson had 13 sacks and 50 tackles this season, and rushed for 800 yards. He also won the state triple jump last spring.
USC won the recruiting battle with Tennessee for DE Aaron Sterling (6-2 260) of Tucker, GA. Sterling, a one-time Alabama commitment, is regarded as one of the top players in Georgia and one of the top defensive end prospects in the country. “It just came down to praying about it, asking God to help me, asking my parents to help me, and they just showing me that South Carolina was the place for me to be. Me and coach T-Rob, Coach P, and Coach Muschamp, we all have a good relationship with each other. I like the players. It’s a good family environment, ,it’s like me going home. Sterling with have an immediate chance to earn playing time at defensive end with the Gamecocks. “He’s very athletic, very fast,” said his coach Bryan Lamar. “He’s also powerful and can power rush and speed rush.” Sterling camped at USC last summer and made several unofficial visits as well.
OL Jordon Carty (6-7 305) of Hollywood, FL signed with USC over Mississippi State. Carty, a native of Jamaica, had been strongly favoring the Gamecocks throughout the season after camping with them last summer. He made his official visit last weekend. “Ain’t nobody going to work harder,” said South Broward defensive coordinator Junior Rosegreen who worked closely with Carty on his recruiting. “He ha a defensive player’s mentality. If he controls it a little bit, he’ll be a monster. He loves to finish. When he grabs you, it’s over.” Carty gives the Gamecocks five offensive linemen in the class.
DL Jayvon Kinlaw (6-7 330) , a Goose Creek native who played last season at Jones County JC, MS, signed with USC. He committed to the Gamecocks while in high school and held to that pledge until December when he decommitted. He also considered Alabama and Southern Cal but by the end of his official visit to USC last weekend, he was ready to rejoin the Gamecocks’ class. Kinlaw was an Army All America and a Shrine Bowler as a high school senior.
DE Robert Beal of Suwanee, GA, who played last season at IMG Academy in Florida, signed with Georgia. He visited USC last weekend and while he enjoyed the visit, he said afterwards he was 100% with the Bulldogs and he followed thru on that today.
DE Jaylen Twyman of Washington, DC signed with Pitt over USC.
DE Chrishawn Wilson of West Florence signed with Charlotte.
USC offered DB Kwantel Raines of Aliquippa, PA. He also has offers from Penn State, Pitt and West Virginia.
DB Latheron Rogers-Anderson of Ridge View signed with Western Kentucky.
2017 QB Drew Dinsmore (6-6 210) of Atlanta announced he will walk-on at USC with an invite from Will Muschamp to join the program and compete for a scholarship. He was offered by Cornell and Eastern Kentucky.