OrTre Smith, Jamyest Williams lead South Carolina targets to watch at The Opening
July 05, 2016
Most of the nation’s top prospects will be in Beaverton, Ore., at Nike’s headquarters this week for The Opening, the premier offseason camp.
The annual invite-only camp will feature a handful of targets on South Carolina’s 2017 and 2018 recruiting boards.
Here are some of the names Gamecocks fans should keep an eye on throughout the week.
Chase Hayden, 3-star RB (Collierville, Tenn.)
High school: St. George’s High School
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
Rankings: No. 430 player in the country, No. 31 running back, No. 12 overall prospect in Tennessee
Skinny: Hayden named South Carolina his leader after visiting in June, but the 3-star prospect is trending in Arkansas’ direction. In addition to the commitment from 3-star running back Kyshaun Bryan, South Carolina is reportedly in the driver’s seat to land North Carolina transfer Ty’Son Williams. At The Opening, Hayden is on the Fly Rush team with each of the prospects listed below.
OrTre Smith, 4-star Athlete (Mount Pleasant, S.C.)
High school: Wando High School
Measurables: 6-foot-3.5, 217 pounds
Rankings: No. 135 player in the nation, No. 3 athlete, No. 1 overall prospect in South Carolina
Skinny: Once considered a heavy Clemson lean, Smith announced a top five that included South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Clemson and North Carolina. Each of the schools hosted him for a visit last month. Most in the recruiting industry believe Smith will commit to one of the in-state schools when he announces his decision on his birthday, Sept. 11.
A.J. Terrell, 4-star CB (Atlanta)
High school: Westlake High School
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 179 pounds
Rankings: No. 91 player in the country, No. 9 cornerback, No. 9 overall prospect in Georgia
Skinny: South Carolina has been listed among Terrell’s list of favorites, which also includes Florida, Georgia and Clemson. The Tigers hosted him for a camp visit last month. Coaches from the Gators and Bulldogs also saw him at a satellite camp.
Xavier Thomas, 5-star DE (Florence, S.C.)
High school: Wilson High School
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 240 pounds
Rankings: No. 3 player in the country, No. 2 defensive end, No. 1 prospect in South Carolina in the Class of 2018
Skinny: Though the event is typically reserved for rising seniors, Thomas is one of five prospects from the Class of 2018 to land an invite. South Carolina was his team growing up, but the recruiting process has given him reason for pause, so all schools are receiving consideration, even once-hated Clemson. Both in-state programs had him on campus for camp in June. Only one other prospect from the state of South Carolina will compete at The Opening (Smith).
Jamyest Williams, 4-star CB (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
High school: Grayson High School
Measurables: 5-foot-9, 170 pounds
Rankings: No. 52 player in the nation, No. 6 cornerback, No. 6 overall prospect in Georgia
Skinny: Williams is expected to declare a list of favorites at The Opening. South Carolina is likely to find a spot. Georgia and Clemson probably will, too. Florida is also thought to be a contender for the 4-star prospect. Industry contacts believe Williams is leaning towards South Carolina, with the opportunity for early playing time being among one of the primary reasons why.
SECCOUNTRY
July 05, 2016
Most of the nation’s top prospects will be in Beaverton, Ore., at Nike’s headquarters this week for The Opening, the premier offseason camp.
The annual invite-only camp will feature a handful of targets on South Carolina’s 2017 and 2018 recruiting boards.
Here are some of the names Gamecocks fans should keep an eye on throughout the week.
Chase Hayden, 3-star RB (Collierville, Tenn.)
High school: St. George’s High School
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 183 pounds
Rankings: No. 430 player in the country, No. 31 running back, No. 12 overall prospect in Tennessee
Skinny: Hayden named South Carolina his leader after visiting in June, but the 3-star prospect is trending in Arkansas’ direction. In addition to the commitment from 3-star running back Kyshaun Bryan, South Carolina is reportedly in the driver’s seat to land North Carolina transfer Ty’Son Williams. At The Opening, Hayden is on the Fly Rush team with each of the prospects listed below.
OrTre Smith, 4-star Athlete (Mount Pleasant, S.C.)
High school: Wando High School
Measurables: 6-foot-3.5, 217 pounds
Rankings: No. 135 player in the nation, No. 3 athlete, No. 1 overall prospect in South Carolina
Skinny: Once considered a heavy Clemson lean, Smith announced a top five that included South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Clemson and North Carolina. Each of the schools hosted him for a visit last month. Most in the recruiting industry believe Smith will commit to one of the in-state schools when he announces his decision on his birthday, Sept. 11.
A.J. Terrell, 4-star CB (Atlanta)
High school: Westlake High School
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 179 pounds
Rankings: No. 91 player in the country, No. 9 cornerback, No. 9 overall prospect in Georgia
Skinny: South Carolina has been listed among Terrell’s list of favorites, which also includes Florida, Georgia and Clemson. The Tigers hosted him for a camp visit last month. Coaches from the Gators and Bulldogs also saw him at a satellite camp.
Xavier Thomas, 5-star DE (Florence, S.C.)
High school: Wilson High School
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 240 pounds
Rankings: No. 3 player in the country, No. 2 defensive end, No. 1 prospect in South Carolina in the Class of 2018
Skinny: Though the event is typically reserved for rising seniors, Thomas is one of five prospects from the Class of 2018 to land an invite. South Carolina was his team growing up, but the recruiting process has given him reason for pause, so all schools are receiving consideration, even once-hated Clemson. Both in-state programs had him on campus for camp in June. Only one other prospect from the state of South Carolina will compete at The Opening (Smith).
Jamyest Williams, 4-star CB (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
High school: Grayson High School
Measurables: 5-foot-9, 170 pounds
Rankings: No. 52 player in the nation, No. 6 cornerback, No. 6 overall prospect in Georgia
Skinny: Williams is expected to declare a list of favorites at The Opening. South Carolina is likely to find a spot. Georgia and Clemson probably will, too. Florida is also thought to be a contender for the 4-star prospect. Industry contacts believe Williams is leaning towards South Carolina, with the opportunity for early playing time being among one of the primary reasons why.
SECCOUNTRY