Prospects impressed by environment at Williams-Brice
September 18, 2017
Back off the ledge
If South Carolina fans are concerned about the Gamecocks’ loss Saturday night potentially having a negative impact on recruiting, they need to keep one thing in mind: Recruits don’t base their decision off one game.
Though results do matter, witnessing the home team fall during a visit generally won’t ruin the trip. More things matter to a player than whether he saw a win or a loss.
When taking game day visits, it’s all about the individual experience:
Rodricus Fitten committed to South Carolina earlier this month. (studentsports.com/courtesy)
2019 commitment No. 2 visits
Three-star defensive end Rodricus Fitten, who committed to South Carolina earlier this month, made the trip to Columbia from Atlanta to watch the Gamecocks open Williams-Brice Stadium in 2017. While he would have certainly preferred to watch the Gamecocks win, that didn’t ruin the experience.
“It was a great atmosphere,” Fitten said. “That was the first time I’d been to South Carolina for a football game and actually seeing how the fans were and really are in person, not just by looking at a video of them.”
Ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 25 weakside defensive end in the country, Fitten and 3-star linebacker Ahdarrious Gee are the first two commitments in the Gamecocks’ 2019 class.
“What made me jump on board was the coaches,” Fitten said. “They had a lot of influence on me committing. It was just the best fit for me, at the moment.
“And the fan base was a big part of me committing to South Carolina.”
Back from Crisp County
Gee and his Crisp County High School (Cordele, Ga.) classmates Jammie Robinson and DeAngelo Griffin returned to South Carolina on Saturday. They all have an offer from the Gamecocks.
Robinson, a 4-star athlete with an offer sheet that also includes Alabama, Auburn and Clemson, gave the visit high marks.
“It was crazy. I think the game was sold out. It was rocking, the stadium,” Robinson said. “I enjoyed the game. I brought my little brother with me. He had a good experience also.”
Several of South Carolina’s coaches spoke with Robinson, including coach Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson and outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Mike Peterson.
“I talked with Muschamp before the game and then I talked to him again [sunday]. … Before I left, I went by and talked to him again,” Robinson said. “What I get from them is they really want me there. They really want me to come and play early.”
Muschamp sees him fitting into his defense as a defensive back.
“He wants me to be versatile,” Robinson said. “And I feel like I can play that way. For all the schools that are looking at me right now, I want them to know I can play anywhere. I can play in the box, I can cover.”
Later in the fall, he hopes to attend games at Alabama and Clemson.
September 18, 2017
Back off the ledge
If South Carolina fans are concerned about the Gamecocks’ loss Saturday night potentially having a negative impact on recruiting, they need to keep one thing in mind: Recruits don’t base their decision off one game.
Though results do matter, witnessing the home team fall during a visit generally won’t ruin the trip. More things matter to a player than whether he saw a win or a loss.
When taking game day visits, it’s all about the individual experience:
- What kind of attention did the coaches show?
- Was it a good game day atmosphere?
- How were the fans?
- Could he see himself playing there?
Rodricus Fitten committed to South Carolina earlier this month. (studentsports.com/courtesy)
2019 commitment No. 2 visits
Three-star defensive end Rodricus Fitten, who committed to South Carolina earlier this month, made the trip to Columbia from Atlanta to watch the Gamecocks open Williams-Brice Stadium in 2017. While he would have certainly preferred to watch the Gamecocks win, that didn’t ruin the experience.
“It was a great atmosphere,” Fitten said. “That was the first time I’d been to South Carolina for a football game and actually seeing how the fans were and really are in person, not just by looking at a video of them.”
Ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 25 weakside defensive end in the country, Fitten and 3-star linebacker Ahdarrious Gee are the first two commitments in the Gamecocks’ 2019 class.
“What made me jump on board was the coaches,” Fitten said. “They had a lot of influence on me committing. It was just the best fit for me, at the moment.
“And the fan base was a big part of me committing to South Carolina.”
Back from Crisp County
Gee and his Crisp County High School (Cordele, Ga.) classmates Jammie Robinson and DeAngelo Griffin returned to South Carolina on Saturday. They all have an offer from the Gamecocks.
Robinson, a 4-star athlete with an offer sheet that also includes Alabama, Auburn and Clemson, gave the visit high marks.
“It was crazy. I think the game was sold out. It was rocking, the stadium,” Robinson said. “I enjoyed the game. I brought my little brother with me. He had a good experience also.”
Several of South Carolina’s coaches spoke with Robinson, including coach Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson and outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Mike Peterson.
“I talked with Muschamp before the game and then I talked to him again [sunday]. … Before I left, I went by and talked to him again,” Robinson said. “What I get from them is they really want me there. They really want me to come and play early.”
Muschamp sees him fitting into his defense as a defensive back.
“He wants me to be versatile,” Robinson said. “And I feel like I can play that way. For all the schools that are looking at me right now, I want them to know I can play anywhere. I can play in the box, I can cover.”
Later in the fall, he hopes to attend games at Alabama and Clemson.