Recruiting Weekend Notebook: Updates from USC’s junior day & other notes
FEBRUARY 25, 2017
LB Eli Adams (6-0 230) of South Pointe attended the junior day as the lone representative from his powerhouse program. “I enjoyed the practice and we came in from practice and we ate and socialized a little bit. I talked with Coach T-Rob and Coach Bentley. We talked about if I decided to come, what position I would play. He’s not decided.” Adams said he will be taking a trip to Maryland soon. He said there is no favorite at this point and he’ll make his decision before the season. He plans to return to USC possibly for the spring game. He has offers from USC, Maryland and East Carolina.
USC added another competitor for the placekicking job in Brandon Chiazza (5-11 170) of Malvern, PA. He was in Saturday for the junior day and decided to enroll at USC this fall on an academic scholarship and walk-on the football team with a shot at the job. ” I will be working hard preparing this spring and summer and plan to compete for the job. I was impressed by the intensity of the first practice and the culture the coaching staff has created. I’m excited about competing in August. The entire football staff is great and I’m excited to be a Gamecock.” Chiazza also had preferred walk-on offers from Duke and Rutgers. Last season he was 7-9 on field goals with a school record 49 yarder, and he was 37-38 on extra points.
OL Jovaughn Gwyn (6-3 290) of Charlotte picked up an offer at USC Saturday, his first from an SEC program. “I liked everything I saw yesterday, to what they had to offer in football to education-wise, and I had a good time up there. All the coaches seem cool. The O-line coach seems like he knows what needs to be done and is willing to do anything to get it done. And the coaches were just telling me how much they love my film and how I play hard, fast, and physical. They are very high on my list.” He also has offers from Duke, Wake Forest, NC State and Coastal Carolina. He is going to Clemson Saturday.
TE Tyneil Hopper (6-3 225) of Roswell, GA did not pick up an offer on his visit to USC Saturday but remains very interested in the Gamecocks. “I had a great time at USC. I really enjoyed the tempo they went at in practice. They didn’t say anything about an offer yet, they just said they’ll be recruiting me more.” Hopper is going to Louisville this weekend. He has offers from Kentucky, Wake Forest, Louisville, North Carolina, Illinois, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia State and Massachusetts.
DB Zion Keith (6-1 190) of Wilson, who had seven interceptions last season, was hopeful of an offer from the Gamecocks Saturday. It did not come then but he’s not giving up on the idea of one from the Gamecocks. “It was great. I talked with the coaching staff. They’re getting stuff sorted out with the numbers so they can potentially offer me a scholarship in the summer.” He has offers from Wake Forest, UCF and SC State.
WR Josh Vann (5-11 175) of Tucker, GA came in for USC’s junior day with teammate OL Dylan Wonnum, brother of Gamecock DE DJ Wonnum. Vann got a strong pitch from Will Muschamp and receivers coach Bryan McClendon. “It was a great visit. The things that stood out were the dorms and just the all the things around the campus. And what the coaches said that they liked about me was that I can do it all and they really want me to be a part of their team. I think I would fit in great, physically-wise seeing how they operate, felt like I could go out there right now.” After this visit, Vann said he’s down to USC and Georgia with the Gamecocks out front. He will be visiting Georgia at some point but doesn’t have a date. He wants to make his decision before his senior season.
DB Jaycee Horn (6-1 170) of Alpharetta, GA made the trip to Columbia Saturday for the USC junior day. The son of former NFL star receiver Joe Horn is being recruited by the Gamecocks as a cornerback and naturally drifted over to the defensive side of the field to watch the first spring practice. “I liked it. I looked at the facilities. I talked a lot to Coach Robinson a lot today and and I just liked that they fit me. I got a chance to watch them practice, caught the one-on-ones. I liked what I saw. I like the way Coach Robinson coaches. It seems he has a special relationship with all his corners. They told me how good of a school it was and showed me the dorms, top of the line, the facilities, top of the line. And they let me know about the success they had with former corners like Vernon Hargreaves and Quincy Wilson.” Horn said he will return for a visit to USC and wants to come in for a game as well to see what the gameday atmosphere is like. Horn has visits coming up with Ole Miss, Missouri and Louisville, and he wants to visit Virginia Tech and West Virginia. He has been to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. There is no favorite.
Valdosta, GA LB Zakoby McClain (6-2 200) was in for USC’s junior day Saturday and said the Gamecocks sit firmly in his top ten after the visit. “I got there late and didn’t really get to see much but I like their facilities, I like their campus and I like the coaches. Coach Muschamp said I’m like an old school linebacker and they want me at South Carolina. They’ve got two starters leaving and will have only one linebacker with experience, so I’d have a chance to start if I work hard.” McClain also has in his top list Florida State, Tennessee, LSU, Wisconsin, Auburn, UCLA and Nebraska. He has visited Florida State and will go to Auburn next Saturday and might visit LSU after that. He’s looking at making his decision in August.
DL Kelijiah Brown (6-3 310) of Saluda attended USC’s junior day Saturday and is now working on a decision between the Gamecocks and Wake Forest. “I liked it, they showed a lot of love. Their campus, I’ve been there multiple times, it was nice getting there again. The practice was intense. They were getting after it. They said I’m an in-state priority and they were pretty straight-forward with me that nothing would be given to me, that I’d have to earn everything, just like everybody else. The best people play. I think I’m closing in on a decision, two to three weeks. There’s no one out front. I’m just going to pray about it and talk with my family.”
Ben Lippen DB Bryce Thompson (6-0 180) , currently a Virginia Tech commitment, was back over at USC for another visit Saturday. He remains committed to the Hokies but the Gamecocks continue to give him another option to consider. “It was real good. They had a very productive practice. They got a lot of things done in the two hours they spent out there. I just realized that everything is a whole lot faster in college. I was with Coach T-Rob and Coach Muschamp. They are recruiting me for the nickel and safety positions. They say they are very interested and I’m perfect size for a DB. They said it’s up to me to make my decision but they’ve already told me how they feel about me. It makes my decision a little bit harder. Now they have come into play and they are the home state, and every recruit always keeps the home state in mind. Right now, there’s a lot thrown at me so I’m not really sure, but as of right now I’m still committed to Virginia Tech.” Thompson is going to Georgia State March 5th, Georgia March 20th and he will visit Michigan in April. He has also visited Clemson, Virginia Tech and NC State. Thompson said he’s not sure when he’ll finalize a decision and he’s not sure if he’s graduating early.
Fort Dorchester QB Dakereon Joyner will be in Columbia Sunday for the annual High School Sports Report banquet where he will receive the statewide Offensive Player of the Year award. Joyner said he will also take in the USC women’s basketball game while in town. As for possibly meeting with football coaches, Joyner said he’s not sure if that will happen at this point. Joyner did not make it to Columbia Saturday because of the death of a close friend in a shooting earlier this week.
DE Jabari Ellis (6-5 285) of Georgia Military JC, and a Lake Marion product, made the visit to USC as part of a weekend trip to his home. He has offers from USC and East Carolina at this point. “It went great. I was able to put a picture on the program. I enjoyed myself today. One of the things that stood out to me the most was the intensity of the practice. Watching the defensive line working hard on technique and different things was cool. They let me know that they don’t want to waste anytime with me, I’m going to automatically come in and compete for a starting spot. They said that 3 or 4 defensive linemen will be graduated when I come in. I won’t make my decision right now but the Gamecocks are leading.”
WR Darius Rush (6-2 180) of CE Murray made it to USC Saturday for the junior day. The chance of a commitment on the visit existed for Rush but he held off for the time being. “It was great. I really enjoyed watching the first spring practice. It was good seeing how they (receivers) competed with the DBs today. Seeing guys like Deebo (Samuel). I want to be a playmaker like that. I grew up a fan of guys like Alshon (Jeffery). The tour I was given was excellent, it is a really nice campus. I enjoyed talking to the coaches and getting to know them a little more. Coach Muschamp was telling me how much it would mean to him for me to be a Gamecock. I plan to process the day a little. It (commitment) will probably be soon, just don’t know exactly when yet.” Rush also has offers from Old Dominion, Charlotte, Miami of Ohio and SC State.
WR Spencer Gaddis (6-0 190) of Alpharetta, GA was in for USC’s junior day. He has not been offered by the Gamecocks but he said receivers coach Bryan McClendon plans to evaluate him this spring and this season for a possible offer. “I loved the visit, we went thru and toured the whole facility. I liked the locker room and the uniforms were super nice. Also, the stadium is a beautiful sight. I like the coaches’ mentality and how they all want to win, very competitive. I talked to Coach McClendon we watched some film and talked about some wide receiver stuff…releases, creating separation, things like that. He likes me and wants me to come to camp and go thru some of his drills.” Gaddis has offers from Utah and Tulane. He also has visited Georgia State and will visit Tulane, Georgia Southern, Ball State and Utah.
OL Casey Holman (6-4 285) of Snellville, GA has been a frequent visitor to USC and was back Saturday for the junior day. It was his first chance to meet new offensive line coach Eric Wolford. “I liked it, it was comfortable with a good atmosphere. I really enjoyed it. Coach Wolford is a new coach but he’s developed some good relationships with the offensive line and I really like that. I watched practice and he’s an ex-NFL coach. Everything he’s doing, there’s a reason behind it.” Holman also talked recruiting with Will Muschamp. “They feel it’s a perfect fit for me. It’s definitely a place I want to consider. It’s a football team that’s going nowhere but up and I like that.” Holman is going to North Carolina next weekend. He’s also been to Vanderbilt, Duke and Mississippi State. Some of his other offers are Ole Miss, Auburn, Oregon, Florida, Virginia Tech and Miami. He does not have favorites. Holman said he will play inside in college. He’s a possible early graduate but that has not been determined.
USC Saturday offered DL LaMarius Benson (6-2 300) of Covington, GA. “I was talking to Coach Muschamp and Coach Wolford and they offered me. I was amazed about it being my first SEC offer from a school like this. I like South Carolina, I had a good visit today and watched them practice. They said they like the way I play and the way I can move.” Benson also has offers from Maryland, Georgia Tech, UCF, Georgia State and Marshall.
DB Von Ramsey of Greenwood (6-0 170) was at USC Saturday for the junior day. The Gamecocks have not offered but are showing interest. “It was great, really loved the tempo of practice. I talked to Coach T-Rob and he’s coming to see me this spring in practice. I didn’t get the offer but that doesn’t mean stop working. I just have to trust the process of doing what I love.” He’s also planning to visit Florida, Georgia State, SC State and Appalachian State.
DL Torrion Stevenson (6-1 316) of Branchville attended USC’s junior day. He’s not been offered but is under evaluation by the Gamecocks. ” It was great, I had fun but I didn’t get an offer. But Coach Thompson invited me to the spring game and camps. I liked everything, it was like home.” Stevenson also has been invited to SC State for a junior day.
USC offered OL Jovaughn Gwyn of Charlotte Saturday while he was in for the junior day.
DB Shaka Heyward of Hoschton, GA was at USC’s junior day Saturday with teammate Jonathan Gipson.
TE Tyneil Hopper of Roswell, GA was at USC Saturday.
2019 DB Obi Egbuna of Charlotte was at USC Saturday.
2019 DE Rashad Cheney Jr. of Atlanta, a Georgia commitment, was at USC Saturday and left with an offer.
2019 DE Derrick McClendon of Tucker, GA was at USC’s junior day Saturday.
USC Saturday offered 2019 ATH J.R. Walker (6-2 195) of Elizabeth City, NC.
Alabama offered DL Darnell Jeffries of Covington, GA. He also has a USC offer and will visit Clemson for a junior day March 4th.
Florida State offered Clemson and USC target DB Kyler McMichael of Duluth, GA. He visited Alabama Saturday
Spring Valley LB Channing Tindall picked up an offer from NC State. He was at USC Saturday.
USC target OL Maxwell Iyama of Murfreesboro, TN was offered by Georgia.
USC and Clemson target DB Kyler McMichael of Duluth, GA was offered by Alabama.
QB Artur Sitkowski of IMG Academy committed to Miami. Had an early offer from USC.
2017 PK Brandon Chiazza of Malvern, PA was at USC Saturday and apparently was offered the chance to join the program.
2018 6-4 Sharone Wright Jr. of West Florence was at USC Saturday.
FEBRUARY 25, 2017
LB Eli Adams (6-0 230) of South Pointe attended the junior day as the lone representative from his powerhouse program. “I enjoyed the practice and we came in from practice and we ate and socialized a little bit. I talked with Coach T-Rob and Coach Bentley. We talked about if I decided to come, what position I would play. He’s not decided.” Adams said he will be taking a trip to Maryland soon. He said there is no favorite at this point and he’ll make his decision before the season. He plans to return to USC possibly for the spring game. He has offers from USC, Maryland and East Carolina.
USC added another competitor for the placekicking job in Brandon Chiazza (5-11 170) of Malvern, PA. He was in Saturday for the junior day and decided to enroll at USC this fall on an academic scholarship and walk-on the football team with a shot at the job. ” I will be working hard preparing this spring and summer and plan to compete for the job. I was impressed by the intensity of the first practice and the culture the coaching staff has created. I’m excited about competing in August. The entire football staff is great and I’m excited to be a Gamecock.” Chiazza also had preferred walk-on offers from Duke and Rutgers. Last season he was 7-9 on field goals with a school record 49 yarder, and he was 37-38 on extra points.
OL Jovaughn Gwyn (6-3 290) of Charlotte picked up an offer at USC Saturday, his first from an SEC program. “I liked everything I saw yesterday, to what they had to offer in football to education-wise, and I had a good time up there. All the coaches seem cool. The O-line coach seems like he knows what needs to be done and is willing to do anything to get it done. And the coaches were just telling me how much they love my film and how I play hard, fast, and physical. They are very high on my list.” He also has offers from Duke, Wake Forest, NC State and Coastal Carolina. He is going to Clemson Saturday.
TE Tyneil Hopper (6-3 225) of Roswell, GA did not pick up an offer on his visit to USC Saturday but remains very interested in the Gamecocks. “I had a great time at USC. I really enjoyed the tempo they went at in practice. They didn’t say anything about an offer yet, they just said they’ll be recruiting me more.” Hopper is going to Louisville this weekend. He has offers from Kentucky, Wake Forest, Louisville, North Carolina, Illinois, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia State and Massachusetts.
DB Zion Keith (6-1 190) of Wilson, who had seven interceptions last season, was hopeful of an offer from the Gamecocks Saturday. It did not come then but he’s not giving up on the idea of one from the Gamecocks. “It was great. I talked with the coaching staff. They’re getting stuff sorted out with the numbers so they can potentially offer me a scholarship in the summer.” He has offers from Wake Forest, UCF and SC State.
WR Josh Vann (5-11 175) of Tucker, GA came in for USC’s junior day with teammate OL Dylan Wonnum, brother of Gamecock DE DJ Wonnum. Vann got a strong pitch from Will Muschamp and receivers coach Bryan McClendon. “It was a great visit. The things that stood out were the dorms and just the all the things around the campus. And what the coaches said that they liked about me was that I can do it all and they really want me to be a part of their team. I think I would fit in great, physically-wise seeing how they operate, felt like I could go out there right now.” After this visit, Vann said he’s down to USC and Georgia with the Gamecocks out front. He will be visiting Georgia at some point but doesn’t have a date. He wants to make his decision before his senior season.
DB Jaycee Horn (6-1 170) of Alpharetta, GA made the trip to Columbia Saturday for the USC junior day. The son of former NFL star receiver Joe Horn is being recruited by the Gamecocks as a cornerback and naturally drifted over to the defensive side of the field to watch the first spring practice. “I liked it. I looked at the facilities. I talked a lot to Coach Robinson a lot today and and I just liked that they fit me. I got a chance to watch them practice, caught the one-on-ones. I liked what I saw. I like the way Coach Robinson coaches. It seems he has a special relationship with all his corners. They told me how good of a school it was and showed me the dorms, top of the line, the facilities, top of the line. And they let me know about the success they had with former corners like Vernon Hargreaves and Quincy Wilson.” Horn said he will return for a visit to USC and wants to come in for a game as well to see what the gameday atmosphere is like. Horn has visits coming up with Ole Miss, Missouri and Louisville, and he wants to visit Virginia Tech and West Virginia. He has been to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. There is no favorite.
Valdosta, GA LB Zakoby McClain (6-2 200) was in for USC’s junior day Saturday and said the Gamecocks sit firmly in his top ten after the visit. “I got there late and didn’t really get to see much but I like their facilities, I like their campus and I like the coaches. Coach Muschamp said I’m like an old school linebacker and they want me at South Carolina. They’ve got two starters leaving and will have only one linebacker with experience, so I’d have a chance to start if I work hard.” McClain also has in his top list Florida State, Tennessee, LSU, Wisconsin, Auburn, UCLA and Nebraska. He has visited Florida State and will go to Auburn next Saturday and might visit LSU after that. He’s looking at making his decision in August.
DL Kelijiah Brown (6-3 310) of Saluda attended USC’s junior day Saturday and is now working on a decision between the Gamecocks and Wake Forest. “I liked it, they showed a lot of love. Their campus, I’ve been there multiple times, it was nice getting there again. The practice was intense. They were getting after it. They said I’m an in-state priority and they were pretty straight-forward with me that nothing would be given to me, that I’d have to earn everything, just like everybody else. The best people play. I think I’m closing in on a decision, two to three weeks. There’s no one out front. I’m just going to pray about it and talk with my family.”
Ben Lippen DB Bryce Thompson (6-0 180) , currently a Virginia Tech commitment, was back over at USC for another visit Saturday. He remains committed to the Hokies but the Gamecocks continue to give him another option to consider. “It was real good. They had a very productive practice. They got a lot of things done in the two hours they spent out there. I just realized that everything is a whole lot faster in college. I was with Coach T-Rob and Coach Muschamp. They are recruiting me for the nickel and safety positions. They say they are very interested and I’m perfect size for a DB. They said it’s up to me to make my decision but they’ve already told me how they feel about me. It makes my decision a little bit harder. Now they have come into play and they are the home state, and every recruit always keeps the home state in mind. Right now, there’s a lot thrown at me so I’m not really sure, but as of right now I’m still committed to Virginia Tech.” Thompson is going to Georgia State March 5th, Georgia March 20th and he will visit Michigan in April. He has also visited Clemson, Virginia Tech and NC State. Thompson said he’s not sure when he’ll finalize a decision and he’s not sure if he’s graduating early.
Fort Dorchester QB Dakereon Joyner will be in Columbia Sunday for the annual High School Sports Report banquet where he will receive the statewide Offensive Player of the Year award. Joyner said he will also take in the USC women’s basketball game while in town. As for possibly meeting with football coaches, Joyner said he’s not sure if that will happen at this point. Joyner did not make it to Columbia Saturday because of the death of a close friend in a shooting earlier this week.
DE Jabari Ellis (6-5 285) of Georgia Military JC, and a Lake Marion product, made the visit to USC as part of a weekend trip to his home. He has offers from USC and East Carolina at this point. “It went great. I was able to put a picture on the program. I enjoyed myself today. One of the things that stood out to me the most was the intensity of the practice. Watching the defensive line working hard on technique and different things was cool. They let me know that they don’t want to waste anytime with me, I’m going to automatically come in and compete for a starting spot. They said that 3 or 4 defensive linemen will be graduated when I come in. I won’t make my decision right now but the Gamecocks are leading.”
WR Darius Rush (6-2 180) of CE Murray made it to USC Saturday for the junior day. The chance of a commitment on the visit existed for Rush but he held off for the time being. “It was great. I really enjoyed watching the first spring practice. It was good seeing how they (receivers) competed with the DBs today. Seeing guys like Deebo (Samuel). I want to be a playmaker like that. I grew up a fan of guys like Alshon (Jeffery). The tour I was given was excellent, it is a really nice campus. I enjoyed talking to the coaches and getting to know them a little more. Coach Muschamp was telling me how much it would mean to him for me to be a Gamecock. I plan to process the day a little. It (commitment) will probably be soon, just don’t know exactly when yet.” Rush also has offers from Old Dominion, Charlotte, Miami of Ohio and SC State.
WR Spencer Gaddis (6-0 190) of Alpharetta, GA was in for USC’s junior day. He has not been offered by the Gamecocks but he said receivers coach Bryan McClendon plans to evaluate him this spring and this season for a possible offer. “I loved the visit, we went thru and toured the whole facility. I liked the locker room and the uniforms were super nice. Also, the stadium is a beautiful sight. I like the coaches’ mentality and how they all want to win, very competitive. I talked to Coach McClendon we watched some film and talked about some wide receiver stuff…releases, creating separation, things like that. He likes me and wants me to come to camp and go thru some of his drills.” Gaddis has offers from Utah and Tulane. He also has visited Georgia State and will visit Tulane, Georgia Southern, Ball State and Utah.
OL Casey Holman (6-4 285) of Snellville, GA has been a frequent visitor to USC and was back Saturday for the junior day. It was his first chance to meet new offensive line coach Eric Wolford. “I liked it, it was comfortable with a good atmosphere. I really enjoyed it. Coach Wolford is a new coach but he’s developed some good relationships with the offensive line and I really like that. I watched practice and he’s an ex-NFL coach. Everything he’s doing, there’s a reason behind it.” Holman also talked recruiting with Will Muschamp. “They feel it’s a perfect fit for me. It’s definitely a place I want to consider. It’s a football team that’s going nowhere but up and I like that.” Holman is going to North Carolina next weekend. He’s also been to Vanderbilt, Duke and Mississippi State. Some of his other offers are Ole Miss, Auburn, Oregon, Florida, Virginia Tech and Miami. He does not have favorites. Holman said he will play inside in college. He’s a possible early graduate but that has not been determined.
USC Saturday offered DL LaMarius Benson (6-2 300) of Covington, GA. “I was talking to Coach Muschamp and Coach Wolford and they offered me. I was amazed about it being my first SEC offer from a school like this. I like South Carolina, I had a good visit today and watched them practice. They said they like the way I play and the way I can move.” Benson also has offers from Maryland, Georgia Tech, UCF, Georgia State and Marshall.
DB Von Ramsey of Greenwood (6-0 170) was at USC Saturday for the junior day. The Gamecocks have not offered but are showing interest. “It was great, really loved the tempo of practice. I talked to Coach T-Rob and he’s coming to see me this spring in practice. I didn’t get the offer but that doesn’t mean stop working. I just have to trust the process of doing what I love.” He’s also planning to visit Florida, Georgia State, SC State and Appalachian State.
DL Torrion Stevenson (6-1 316) of Branchville attended USC’s junior day. He’s not been offered but is under evaluation by the Gamecocks. ” It was great, I had fun but I didn’t get an offer. But Coach Thompson invited me to the spring game and camps. I liked everything, it was like home.” Stevenson also has been invited to SC State for a junior day.
USC offered OL Jovaughn Gwyn of Charlotte Saturday while he was in for the junior day.
DB Shaka Heyward of Hoschton, GA was at USC’s junior day Saturday with teammate Jonathan Gipson.
TE Tyneil Hopper of Roswell, GA was at USC Saturday.
2019 DB Obi Egbuna of Charlotte was at USC Saturday.
2019 DE Rashad Cheney Jr. of Atlanta, a Georgia commitment, was at USC Saturday and left with an offer.
2019 DE Derrick McClendon of Tucker, GA was at USC’s junior day Saturday.
USC Saturday offered 2019 ATH J.R. Walker (6-2 195) of Elizabeth City, NC.
Alabama offered DL Darnell Jeffries of Covington, GA. He also has a USC offer and will visit Clemson for a junior day March 4th.
Florida State offered Clemson and USC target DB Kyler McMichael of Duluth, GA. He visited Alabama Saturday
Spring Valley LB Channing Tindall picked up an offer from NC State. He was at USC Saturday.
USC target OL Maxwell Iyama of Murfreesboro, TN was offered by Georgia.
USC and Clemson target DB Kyler McMichael of Duluth, GA was offered by Alabama.
QB Artur Sitkowski of IMG Academy committed to Miami. Had an early offer from USC.
2017 PK Brandon Chiazza of Malvern, PA was at USC Saturday and apparently was offered the chance to join the program.
2018 6-4 Sharone Wright Jr. of West Florence was at USC Saturday.