South Carolina football: Biggest recruiting needs in 2017, 2018
Nov. 23, 2016
Will Muschamp will receive a passing grade for his first year as South Carolina head coach.
Not only have the Gamecocks shown signs of life on the field, but they’re also turning heads on the recruiting trail, thanks to a little hard work and due diligence.
As it stands the day before Thanksgiving, South Carolina has 21 commitments for the 2017 signing class. Most of the needs for that haul have already been addressed by Muschamp’s staff, but they’re not done yet.
Below is a look at the 2017 and 2018 classes and what the Gamecocks need to do, to continue their return to relevance in the SEC.
2017 recruiting class
Who is on the way out? Of the 20 or so seniors that were honored last week before the Western Carolina game, only a handful of players have made an impact on this season, and most of them play on the defensive side of the ball.
On offense, South Carolina loses starting left tackle Mason Zandi and quarterback Perry Orth, who began the season as the starter. The defense will say goodbye to several starters: safety Chris Moody, linebackers T.J. Holloman and Jonathan Walton, plus defensive linemen Darius English and Marquavius Lewis.
The other notable departures include the three starting specialists: kicker Elliott Fry, punter Sean Kelly and long-snapper Drew Williams.
JaMarcus King has been at South Carolina for less than a year, but he’s already eligible for the NFL Draft. (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
Who could declare for the draft? Led by cornerbacks JaMarcus King and Chris Lammons, there are only a few draft-eligible underclassmen with NFL potential.
Others include wide receiver Deebo Samuel, defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth, linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams and safety D.J. Smith. But it would probably be their best interest to put off the pros for at least another year.
While we’re not in the business of speculating transfers, almost 68 percent of the Gamecocks roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores, and 13 first-year freshmen have played in 2016. Translation: South Carolina could be in line to see some attrition to the transfer market.
What are the team’s biggest needs? Linebacker is one. Of the 21 commitments in the Gamecocks 2017 class, four play the position: Davonne Bowen, Sherrod Greene, Damani Staley and Eldridge Thompson.
However, the secondary is the most pressing concern, not only on that side of the ball, but across the entire roster. Six defensive backs are already committed and they’re not done yet as junior college targets Keisean Nixon and Kaleb Chalmers remain in the crosshairs.
Muschamp’s staff has also made it a point to rebuild the wide receiver corps. Beyond the emergence of Samuel and Bryan Edwards, the need for more wide receivers has been apparent all season. The Gamecocks incoming trio of OrTre Smith, Shi Smith and Chad Terrell will go a long way in strengthening the depth at wide receiver.
Skai Moore is expected to return to the field for South Carolina in 2017. (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
The irregular redshirts: Several players on the current roster who will return to action in 2017 could emerge as impact contributors. Linebacker Skai Moore, who sat out the entire season after undergoing neck surgery, is expected to lead the way.
Lorenzo Nunez has spent the entire season converting from quarterback to wide receiver. He’ll be available to play in 2017. As will North Carolina transfer Ty’Son Williams, who, like Nunez, will be a redshirt sophomore next fall.
And, of course, there are the presumed medical redshirts. Guard Donell Stanley injured his ankle in the first game of the season and hasn’t played since. It’s the same story for freshman wide receiver Randrecous Davis, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury after his early-season emergence.
Sophomore defensive end Boosie Whitlow played sparingly as a freshman. Earlier this year, he was placed on the redshirt trajectory. He too will return to action next fall.
2018 recruiting class
Who is on the way out? The would-be seniors for next season include starting offensive linemen Alan Knott and Cory Helms, reserve running back David Williams, starting safety D.J. Smith, plus Allen-Williams, King and Lammons.
Assuming he sticks around for 2017, Samuel could approach next season as his early springboard to the NFL. Starting left guard Zack Bailey will also be eligible for the draft after next season.
Even though Stephon Wynn’s dad played ball at Clemson, he’s giving South Carolina a serious look. (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
What are the team’s biggest needs? One could easily make the case that offensive line is a need in every recruiting cycle. Three are currently committed to South Carolina’s 2017 haul with the expectation that another 1-2 will join them. The position is expected to be an emphasis again in 2018.
Two prospects from the state of Georgia have already been identified as priorities: 4-star Dylan Wonnum, whose brother is a freshman defensive end for the Gamecocks, and 3-star guard Warren Ericson, whose brother plays soccer at South Carolina.
Even though the Jake Bentley era is off to a flying start, South Carolina needs to sign a quarterback in the 2018 class, if not two. Next season’s quarterback depth chart will include three other scholarship players: Brandon McIlwain, Michael Scarnecchia and Jay Urich. That, of course, is assuming that everyone sticks around between now and next August.
Four-star athlete Dakereon Joyner, one of the top in-state prospects, is being courted by the Gamecocks as a quarterback. Other dual-threat options include Joe Milton, North Carolina commitment James Foster and Kentucky commitment Jarren Williams.
Defensively, South Carolina has identified several linemen as priority targets, several of whom are from the state.
That group is led by 5-star end Xavier Thomas, 4-star end Stephon Wynn and 4-star tackle Josh Belk, all three of whom are national-level recruits. Another in-state tackle, Kelijiha Brown, continues to be heavily courted by the Gamecocks coaches. Just across the border in North Carolina is 4-star tackle Rick Sandidge.
Nov. 23, 2016
Will Muschamp will receive a passing grade for his first year as South Carolina head coach.
Not only have the Gamecocks shown signs of life on the field, but they’re also turning heads on the recruiting trail, thanks to a little hard work and due diligence.
As it stands the day before Thanksgiving, South Carolina has 21 commitments for the 2017 signing class. Most of the needs for that haul have already been addressed by Muschamp’s staff, but they’re not done yet.
Below is a look at the 2017 and 2018 classes and what the Gamecocks need to do, to continue their return to relevance in the SEC.
2017 recruiting class
Who is on the way out? Of the 20 or so seniors that were honored last week before the Western Carolina game, only a handful of players have made an impact on this season, and most of them play on the defensive side of the ball.
On offense, South Carolina loses starting left tackle Mason Zandi and quarterback Perry Orth, who began the season as the starter. The defense will say goodbye to several starters: safety Chris Moody, linebackers T.J. Holloman and Jonathan Walton, plus defensive linemen Darius English and Marquavius Lewis.
The other notable departures include the three starting specialists: kicker Elliott Fry, punter Sean Kelly and long-snapper Drew Williams.
Who could declare for the draft? Led by cornerbacks JaMarcus King and Chris Lammons, there are only a few draft-eligible underclassmen with NFL potential.
Others include wide receiver Deebo Samuel, defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth, linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams and safety D.J. Smith. But it would probably be their best interest to put off the pros for at least another year.
While we’re not in the business of speculating transfers, almost 68 percent of the Gamecocks roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores, and 13 first-year freshmen have played in 2016. Translation: South Carolina could be in line to see some attrition to the transfer market.
What are the team’s biggest needs? Linebacker is one. Of the 21 commitments in the Gamecocks 2017 class, four play the position: Davonne Bowen, Sherrod Greene, Damani Staley and Eldridge Thompson.
However, the secondary is the most pressing concern, not only on that side of the ball, but across the entire roster. Six defensive backs are already committed and they’re not done yet as junior college targets Keisean Nixon and Kaleb Chalmers remain in the crosshairs.
Muschamp’s staff has also made it a point to rebuild the wide receiver corps. Beyond the emergence of Samuel and Bryan Edwards, the need for more wide receivers has been apparent all season. The Gamecocks incoming trio of OrTre Smith, Shi Smith and Chad Terrell will go a long way in strengthening the depth at wide receiver.
The irregular redshirts: Several players on the current roster who will return to action in 2017 could emerge as impact contributors. Linebacker Skai Moore, who sat out the entire season after undergoing neck surgery, is expected to lead the way.
Lorenzo Nunez has spent the entire season converting from quarterback to wide receiver. He’ll be available to play in 2017. As will North Carolina transfer Ty’Son Williams, who, like Nunez, will be a redshirt sophomore next fall.
And, of course, there are the presumed medical redshirts. Guard Donell Stanley injured his ankle in the first game of the season and hasn’t played since. It’s the same story for freshman wide receiver Randrecous Davis, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury after his early-season emergence.
Sophomore defensive end Boosie Whitlow played sparingly as a freshman. Earlier this year, he was placed on the redshirt trajectory. He too will return to action next fall.
2018 recruiting class
Who is on the way out? The would-be seniors for next season include starting offensive linemen Alan Knott and Cory Helms, reserve running back David Williams, starting safety D.J. Smith, plus Allen-Williams, King and Lammons.
Assuming he sticks around for 2017, Samuel could approach next season as his early springboard to the NFL. Starting left guard Zack Bailey will also be eligible for the draft after next season.
What are the team’s biggest needs? One could easily make the case that offensive line is a need in every recruiting cycle. Three are currently committed to South Carolina’s 2017 haul with the expectation that another 1-2 will join them. The position is expected to be an emphasis again in 2018.
Two prospects from the state of Georgia have already been identified as priorities: 4-star Dylan Wonnum, whose brother is a freshman defensive end for the Gamecocks, and 3-star guard Warren Ericson, whose brother plays soccer at South Carolina.
Even though the Jake Bentley era is off to a flying start, South Carolina needs to sign a quarterback in the 2018 class, if not two. Next season’s quarterback depth chart will include three other scholarship players: Brandon McIlwain, Michael Scarnecchia and Jay Urich. That, of course, is assuming that everyone sticks around between now and next August.
Four-star athlete Dakereon Joyner, one of the top in-state prospects, is being courted by the Gamecocks as a quarterback. Other dual-threat options include Joe Milton, North Carolina commitment James Foster and Kentucky commitment Jarren Williams.
Defensively, South Carolina has identified several linemen as priority targets, several of whom are from the state.
That group is led by 5-star end Xavier Thomas, 4-star end Stephon Wynn and 4-star tackle Josh Belk, all three of whom are national-level recruits. Another in-state tackle, Kelijiha Brown, continues to be heavily courted by the Gamecocks coaches. Just across the border in North Carolina is 4-star tackle Rick Sandidge.