South Carolina mock signing class — offense
August 14, 2017
Will Muschamp and the South Carolina coaches have secured 19 commitments for the 2018 signing class, 11 of whom will play on offense.
As of Monday, Aug. 14, the Gamecocks class is ranked No. 24 in the country and seventh among SEC teams, according to the 247Sports composite.
Below is SEC Country’s first mock signing class for South Carolina in 2018:
Quarterback
Committed: Dakereon Joyner
Analysis: The 4-star prospect from North Charleston, S.C., is the highest-ranked (No. 224 overall) commitment in the class, according to 247Sports. Joyner, an Elite 11 participant, announced his commitment to the Gamecocks over North Carolina State on Father’s Day, but he also fielded offers from Alabama, Oregon and Virginia Tech, among several other Power 5 schools.
Joyner (6-foot-0.5, 202 pounds) is ranked as the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2018. From this perspective, his size and skill set are comparable to Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
South Carolina no longer appears to be in the market for another quarterback, in addition to Joyner, but there’s not much space left in the class. Since there are only three scholarship quarterbacks on the books, it’s an option the Gamecock coaches could reconsider.
There are no certainties in recruiting, but Joyner’s commitment is about as firm as one can be. He’s on track to graduate early from high school and enroll at South Carolina in January.
Running back
Committed: Deshaun Fenwick, Lavonte Valentine
Analysis: Fenwick and Valentine are ranked Nos. 11 and 12, respectively, in the national ranking of all-purpose running backs. Fenwick (Bradenton, Fla.) committed in May over offers from Georgia and Texas. Valentine, who’s from Melbourne, Fla., committed on July 4. His offer sheet included Florida, LSU and Southern Cal.
Fenwick (6-1, 225) is a downhill, between-the-tackles running back. He’s the thunder. Valentine (6-0, 188) is the lightning. Earlier this summer, he ran a 4.34-second laser-40 time. His clocking of 10.65 won the Florida 4A 100-meter dash title.
South Carolina didn’t sign a running back in 2017, because of the healthy roster composition. Fenwick and Valentine, both of whom could end enroll early, are firm with their commitments. The Gamecocks are done at the position.
Wide receiver
Committed: Ronnie Jamison, Tyquan Johnson, Darius Rush
Analysis: In late February, Rush became the first commitment in South Carolina’s 2018 class. Johnson (Sylvania, Ga.) committed on July 22 while he was visiting for the Spurs Up recruiting event. Jamison, a junior college prospect who’s from Irmo, S.C., committed a day later, after he was on campus.
Rush (6-2, 170) is ranked as the No. 24 overall prospect from the state of South Carolina. Nationally, he’s No. 206 among wide receivers. Jamison (6-2, 190) is the No. 3 JUCO wide receiver in the country. Johnson (6-3, 195) is the No. 87 wide receiver.
Of the three, Johnson was the only one with other Power 5 offers: Kentucky, Mississippi State, West Virginia and Wake Forest.
Four-star recruit Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.) is the final remaining target for the Gamecocks. The No. 34 wide receiver in the country is also considering Georgia. A decision is expected at some point within the next few weeks.
South Carolina remains the favorite, but Georgia could push into the lead if 5-star quarterback Justin Fields commits to the Bulldogs.
Offensive line
Committed: LaMarius Benson, Wyatt Campbell, Maxwell Iyama, Jesus Gibbs and Hank Manos
Benson (Covington, Ga.) joined Rush on March 12 as the second commitment in South Carolina’s class. Manos (Chapin, S.C.) joined about two weeks later. Iyama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) committed on April 2. In June, Campbell (Lugoff, S.C.) jumped on board, followed by Gibbs (Dumfries, Va.) in July.
Though he’s classified as a 3-star defensive tackle, Benson (6-3, 330) profiles as a guard at South Carolina. Manos (6-4, 275), who fielded a handful of ACC offers, will play center. Iyama, a 6-5, 299-pound tackle, had several SEC offers. Both Campbell (6-7, 290) and Gibbs (6-4, 265) had multiple ACC offers.
Two targets remain: 4-star tackle Dylan Wonnum (Tucker, Ga.) and 3-star guard Jovaughn Gwyn (Charlotte, N.C.). South Carolina remains the team to beat for Wonnum, but Gwyn appears to be leaning toward North Carolina State.
Tight end
Committed: None
Of the seven tight ends on the South Carolina roster, none are seniors, though Hayden Hurst is likely off to the NFL following this season. Because of the numbers, tight end is not a position of need for the Gamecocks in 2018.
However, there are a few names worth monitoring, including James Mitchell (Big Stone Gap, Va.) and Tommy Tremble (Atlanta).
August 14, 2017
Will Muschamp and the South Carolina coaches have secured 19 commitments for the 2018 signing class, 11 of whom will play on offense.
As of Monday, Aug. 14, the Gamecocks class is ranked No. 24 in the country and seventh among SEC teams, according to the 247Sports composite.
Below is SEC Country’s first mock signing class for South Carolina in 2018:
Quarterback
Committed: Dakereon Joyner
Analysis: The 4-star prospect from North Charleston, S.C., is the highest-ranked (No. 224 overall) commitment in the class, according to 247Sports. Joyner, an Elite 11 participant, announced his commitment to the Gamecocks over North Carolina State on Father’s Day, but he also fielded offers from Alabama, Oregon and Virginia Tech, among several other Power 5 schools.
Joyner (6-foot-0.5, 202 pounds) is ranked as the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2018. From this perspective, his size and skill set are comparable to Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
South Carolina no longer appears to be in the market for another quarterback, in addition to Joyner, but there’s not much space left in the class. Since there are only three scholarship quarterbacks on the books, it’s an option the Gamecock coaches could reconsider.
There are no certainties in recruiting, but Joyner’s commitment is about as firm as one can be. He’s on track to graduate early from high school and enroll at South Carolina in January.
Running back
Committed: Deshaun Fenwick, Lavonte Valentine
Analysis: Fenwick and Valentine are ranked Nos. 11 and 12, respectively, in the national ranking of all-purpose running backs. Fenwick (Bradenton, Fla.) committed in May over offers from Georgia and Texas. Valentine, who’s from Melbourne, Fla., committed on July 4. His offer sheet included Florida, LSU and Southern Cal.
Fenwick (6-1, 225) is a downhill, between-the-tackles running back. He’s the thunder. Valentine (6-0, 188) is the lightning. Earlier this summer, he ran a 4.34-second laser-40 time. His clocking of 10.65 won the Florida 4A 100-meter dash title.
South Carolina didn’t sign a running back in 2017, because of the healthy roster composition. Fenwick and Valentine, both of whom could end enroll early, are firm with their commitments. The Gamecocks are done at the position.
Wide receiver
Committed: Ronnie Jamison, Tyquan Johnson, Darius Rush
Analysis: In late February, Rush became the first commitment in South Carolina’s 2018 class. Johnson (Sylvania, Ga.) committed on July 22 while he was visiting for the Spurs Up recruiting event. Jamison, a junior college prospect who’s from Irmo, S.C., committed a day later, after he was on campus.
Rush (6-2, 170) is ranked as the No. 24 overall prospect from the state of South Carolina. Nationally, he’s No. 206 among wide receivers. Jamison (6-2, 190) is the No. 3 JUCO wide receiver in the country. Johnson (6-3, 195) is the No. 87 wide receiver.
Of the three, Johnson was the only one with other Power 5 offers: Kentucky, Mississippi State, West Virginia and Wake Forest.
Four-star recruit Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.) is the final remaining target for the Gamecocks. The No. 34 wide receiver in the country is also considering Georgia. A decision is expected at some point within the next few weeks.
South Carolina remains the favorite, but Georgia could push into the lead if 5-star quarterback Justin Fields commits to the Bulldogs.
Offensive line
Committed: LaMarius Benson, Wyatt Campbell, Maxwell Iyama, Jesus Gibbs and Hank Manos
Benson (Covington, Ga.) joined Rush on March 12 as the second commitment in South Carolina’s class. Manos (Chapin, S.C.) joined about two weeks later. Iyama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) committed on April 2. In June, Campbell (Lugoff, S.C.) jumped on board, followed by Gibbs (Dumfries, Va.) in July.
Though he’s classified as a 3-star defensive tackle, Benson (6-3, 330) profiles as a guard at South Carolina. Manos (6-4, 275), who fielded a handful of ACC offers, will play center. Iyama, a 6-5, 299-pound tackle, had several SEC offers. Both Campbell (6-7, 290) and Gibbs (6-4, 265) had multiple ACC offers.
Two targets remain: 4-star tackle Dylan Wonnum (Tucker, Ga.) and 3-star guard Jovaughn Gwyn (Charlotte, N.C.). South Carolina remains the team to beat for Wonnum, but Gwyn appears to be leaning toward North Carolina State.
Tight end
Committed: None
Of the seven tight ends on the South Carolina roster, none are seniors, though Hayden Hurst is likely off to the NFL following this season. Because of the numbers, tight end is not a position of need for the Gamecocks in 2018.
However, there are a few names worth monitoring, including James Mitchell (Big Stone Gap, Va.) and Tommy Tremble (Atlanta).