SpursUp Surveillance: A priority in-state target, CB commitment returns, official offersAugust 03, 2016
One of a kindMost of the guests at South Carolina’s SpursUp Cookout were from the 2017 and 2018 classes. Only one was a 2019 prospect.
The lone rising sophomore was Dorman High School (Roebuck, S.C.) WR Jacoby Pinckney, who was offered by South Carolina in June.
“It means a lot, honestly. I was the only guy from the Class of 2019 who was there. It means they’re showing love … that’s a big deal to me,” Pinckney said.
Joined by his parents, Pinckney spent time with wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon and running backs coach Bobby Bentley, who serves as his recruiter of record.
“Coach Bentley is always taking care of his recruits. He talked to my mom and dad,” Pinckney said. “Coach B-Mac, he met my dad for the first time and we talked for a good 10-15 minutes when everybody first got there. It was good.”
Pinckney also met a few of South Carolina’s 2017 commitments, including WR Shi Smith and QB Jay Urich. He also got to hang out with WR OrTre Smith, one of the Gamecocks top 2017 targets.
“It was fun. I really liked it,” Pinckney said.
He added, “It had a family feel. Everybody felt like a big family,”
Skinny: Pinckney grew up a Clemson fan, but an early offer from South Carolina has made quite the impression. The Tigers would be an immediate factor, if an offer is extended at some point down the road. However, the Gamecocks early interest has helped tremendously.
Back on campusTavyn Jackson recently made his first trip to South Carolina since he committed to the Gamecocks on June 14. The 3-star cornerback from Tallahassee, Fla. was on campus for last month’s cookout.
“It was good. It was a lot of people there, a lot of athletes. We enjoyed each other, ate, had fun, competed in some pick-up games. It was pretty enjoyable,” Jackson said.
Most of his time was spent with the other defensive backs who were on campus: Trajan Bandy, Jamyest Williams, Zay Brown and Damarri Mathis. Brown and Mathis are also committed, but the Gamecocks remain in great shape with Bandy and Williams.
“Honestly, just being around other athletes that share the same interests as me,” Jackson said. “I just enjoyed talking with them, getting to know more people that are committed or are going to commit to South Carolina.”
South Carolina extended its official offer to him earlier this week. So did Indiana
Skinny: Jackson is firm with his decision to commit to South Carolina. It will take a lot more than an offer from Indiana to get him to think otherwise. Jackson is scheduled to graduate from high school in December.
Official offersSEC Country reached out to several of South Carolina’s 2017 commitments, to see who’s added official offers. Two defenders who responded, lineman Devonte Wyatt and linebacker Davonne Bowen, haven’t picked up offers from other schools this month.
The word on Wyatt is pretty significant, once you consider the push Georgia made for him after his commitment to the Gamecocks.
“Can I say they are tied? They are tied,” Wyatt recently told Jeff Sentell of DawgNation.
More on Master TeagueThe 2018 running back from Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., visited South Carolina for the cookout.
Teague went into more detail about the visit.
“I felt real comfortable when I was there. Mostly, I think it was because of the coaches,” he said. “I feel like I can just be relaxed around them, be coachable. I think they have great things that they do for their athletes, to make sure that we have success.
“It feels like there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t have success, with all the help that you get. Basically, I just like how the coaches do what they do and I felt kind of comfortable around them.”
A return to Columbia is coming at some point this fall for a game, but no date has been arranged. In the meantime, he’ll keep several factors in mind as he approaches a decision.
“The main thing my parents and I were talking about was the coaches. I think that’s a big part of choosing,” Teague said. “If you feel comfortable around the coaches, do you like the way they coach and do I fit their style of play?
“Of course, the educational part of it. Do they have a lot of outlets you can go to, to help you with that? And do the colleges have a Christian social life on campus? Because I’m really good in trying to stay in the faith and I like to have people to talk to, to communicate that way, sharing the gospel. I like to be social with people like that.”
SECCOUNTRY
One of a kindMost of the guests at South Carolina’s SpursUp Cookout were from the 2017 and 2018 classes. Only one was a 2019 prospect.
The lone rising sophomore was Dorman High School (Roebuck, S.C.) WR Jacoby Pinckney, who was offered by South Carolina in June.
“It means a lot, honestly. I was the only guy from the Class of 2019 who was there. It means they’re showing love … that’s a big deal to me,” Pinckney said.
Joined by his parents, Pinckney spent time with wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon and running backs coach Bobby Bentley, who serves as his recruiter of record.
“Coach Bentley is always taking care of his recruits. He talked to my mom and dad,” Pinckney said. “Coach B-Mac, he met my dad for the first time and we talked for a good 10-15 minutes when everybody first got there. It was good.”
Pinckney also met a few of South Carolina’s 2017 commitments, including WR Shi Smith and QB Jay Urich. He also got to hang out with WR OrTre Smith, one of the Gamecocks top 2017 targets.
“It was fun. I really liked it,” Pinckney said.
He added, “It had a family feel. Everybody felt like a big family,”
Skinny: Pinckney grew up a Clemson fan, but an early offer from South Carolina has made quite the impression. The Tigers would be an immediate factor, if an offer is extended at some point down the road. However, the Gamecocks early interest has helped tremendously.
Back on campusTavyn Jackson recently made his first trip to South Carolina since he committed to the Gamecocks on June 14. The 3-star cornerback from Tallahassee, Fla. was on campus for last month’s cookout.
“It was good. It was a lot of people there, a lot of athletes. We enjoyed each other, ate, had fun, competed in some pick-up games. It was pretty enjoyable,” Jackson said.
Most of his time was spent with the other defensive backs who were on campus: Trajan Bandy, Jamyest Williams, Zay Brown and Damarri Mathis. Brown and Mathis are also committed, but the Gamecocks remain in great shape with Bandy and Williams.
“Honestly, just being around other athletes that share the same interests as me,” Jackson said. “I just enjoyed talking with them, getting to know more people that are committed or are going to commit to South Carolina.”
South Carolina extended its official offer to him earlier this week. So did Indiana
Skinny: Jackson is firm with his decision to commit to South Carolina. It will take a lot more than an offer from Indiana to get him to think otherwise. Jackson is scheduled to graduate from high school in December.
Official offersSEC Country reached out to several of South Carolina’s 2017 commitments, to see who’s added official offers. Two defenders who responded, lineman Devonte Wyatt and linebacker Davonne Bowen, haven’t picked up offers from other schools this month.
The word on Wyatt is pretty significant, once you consider the push Georgia made for him after his commitment to the Gamecocks.
“Can I say they are tied? They are tied,” Wyatt recently told Jeff Sentell of DawgNation.
More on Master TeagueThe 2018 running back from Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., visited South Carolina for the cookout.
Teague went into more detail about the visit.
“I felt real comfortable when I was there. Mostly, I think it was because of the coaches,” he said. “I feel like I can just be relaxed around them, be coachable. I think they have great things that they do for their athletes, to make sure that we have success.
“It feels like there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t have success, with all the help that you get. Basically, I just like how the coaches do what they do and I felt kind of comfortable around them.”
A return to Columbia is coming at some point this fall for a game, but no date has been arranged. In the meantime, he’ll keep several factors in mind as he approaches a decision.
“The main thing my parents and I were talking about was the coaches. I think that’s a big part of choosing,” Teague said. “If you feel comfortable around the coaches, do you like the way they coach and do I fit their style of play?
“Of course, the educational part of it. Do they have a lot of outlets you can go to, to help you with that? And do the colleges have a Christian social life on campus? Because I’m really good in trying to stay in the faith and I like to have people to talk to, to communicate that way, sharing the gospel. I like to be social with people like that.”
SECCOUNTRY