South Carolina’s recruiting grades at the dead period
Dec. 15, 2015
The month-long recruiting dead period kicked in on Monday, so new South Carolina coach Will Muschamp can spend the next few weeks rounding off his new staff and planning ahead for the mad dash to National Signing Day.
he uncertainty surrounding the Gamecocks’ coaching search hindered the progress for the 2016 recruiting cycle, as the school has only a dozen commitments in place. That ranks 66th nationally,according to 247Sports, and dead last in the SEC.
The lone four-star recruit on that list is dual threat quarterback Brandon McIlwain, and he was the prime target for Muschamp, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson last week.
Let’s take a look at South Carolina’s recruiting grades so far:
Offense: C (6 total commits)
McIlwain is obviously a key save for Muschamp and company, but with two of the three leading running backs moving on, Greensboro, N.C., RB CJ Freeman would likely figure into the rotation in 2016. Freeman, a three-star recruit, rushed for 5,802 yards and 69 touchdowns in his career at Northern Guilford.
There are also three starting jobs open on the offensive line, and right now there are four potential replacements on this list. Akeem Cooperwood (Georgia Military College, 6-7, 325), Pete Liota (Asheville, N.C., 6-4, 300), Will Putnam (Harrisburg, N.C., 6-5, 270) and Lloyd Cushenberry (Geismar, La., 6-3, 310) all have a shot to figure into the rotation.
Defense: C- (6 total commits)
There isn’t a glaring positional need for the defense, but Robinson would like to increase the overall talent level for one of the worst units in the SEC in 2015.
There isn’t a big name here, but DE Darius Whitfield (Mobile, Ala., 6-3, 265), LB JaCorey Morris (Grove Hill, Ala., 6-3, 220) and CB Tre Jackson (Baton Rouge, La., 5-10, 160) could figure early in their college careers.
Defensive ends Cecil Stallings (Tucker, Ga., 6-5, 253) and Griffin Gentry (Birmingham, Ala., 6-2, 255) and CB Chris Smith (Rock Hill, S.C., 5-10, 168) round out the list.
Recruiting needs
Dec. 15, 2015
The month-long recruiting dead period kicked in on Monday, so new South Carolina coach Will Muschamp can spend the next few weeks rounding off his new staff and planning ahead for the mad dash to National Signing Day.
he uncertainty surrounding the Gamecocks’ coaching search hindered the progress for the 2016 recruiting cycle, as the school has only a dozen commitments in place. That ranks 66th nationally,according to 247Sports, and dead last in the SEC.
The lone four-star recruit on that list is dual threat quarterback Brandon McIlwain, and he was the prime target for Muschamp, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson last week.
Let’s take a look at South Carolina’s recruiting grades so far:
Offense: C (6 total commits)
McIlwain is obviously a key save for Muschamp and company, but with two of the three leading running backs moving on, Greensboro, N.C., RB CJ Freeman would likely figure into the rotation in 2016. Freeman, a three-star recruit, rushed for 5,802 yards and 69 touchdowns in his career at Northern Guilford.
There are also three starting jobs open on the offensive line, and right now there are four potential replacements on this list. Akeem Cooperwood (Georgia Military College, 6-7, 325), Pete Liota (Asheville, N.C., 6-4, 300), Will Putnam (Harrisburg, N.C., 6-5, 270) and Lloyd Cushenberry (Geismar, La., 6-3, 310) all have a shot to figure into the rotation.
Defense: C- (6 total commits)
There isn’t a glaring positional need for the defense, but Robinson would like to increase the overall talent level for one of the worst units in the SEC in 2015.
There isn’t a big name here, but DE Darius Whitfield (Mobile, Ala., 6-3, 265), LB JaCorey Morris (Grove Hill, Ala., 6-3, 220) and CB Tre Jackson (Baton Rouge, La., 5-10, 160) could figure early in their college careers.
Defensive ends Cecil Stallings (Tucker, Ga., 6-5, 253) and Griffin Gentry (Birmingham, Ala., 6-2, 255) and CB Chris Smith (Rock Hill, S.C., 5-10, 168) round out the list.
Recruiting needs
- Volume — Muschamp and his staff hope to double their number by Signing Day. With the carrot of playing time dangling in Columbia, the Gamecocks should sign at least 20 players in this class.
- Wide receiver/tight end — The two leading receivers, Pharoh Cooper and TE Jerell Adams won’t be around next fall. There are several young in-house options to replace them, but bringing in a little competition will likely be a priority.
- Running back — Freeman is a good start, but life in the SEC requires a boatload of running backs. Finding another one or two would be a good idea.
- Safety — With graduate transfer Isaiah Johnson leaving, there’s a hole at free safety.
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