SpursUp Surveillance: What a commitment from Jamyest Williams would mean for the Gamecocks
August 11, 2016
Sizing up Williams
If Jamyest Williams does what most folks in the recruiting industry expect him to do, South Carolina fans will be partying in the streets of Five Points and The Vista come Saturday, Aug. 27. At least that’s what they should be doing.
Williams, who’s listed as the No. 57 overall prospect in the class of 2017, will announce his decision on the final Saturday of the month, before Grayson High School (Loganville, Ga.) hosts IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
SEC Country’s conversation about Williams and his trending interest in the Gamecocks commenced in early July.
The 247 Crystal Ball isn’t always spot-on – look no further than T.J. Moore – but, more often than not, it’s usually a pretty strong indicator of where a prospect is leaning.
Williams is favored to end up at South Carolina, according to the 247 Crystal Ball. Since he announced on Monday night that his commitment was coming at the end of the month,seven entries have been made for the Gamecocks.
It’s also worth noting that many Crystal Ball picks tend to be reactionary. One could reasonably assume that this is no exception.
If he commits to South Carolina, Williams would be the third 4-star in the Gamecocks class. He would also be the highest-ranked overall prospect.
As a junior at Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Ga., Williams rushed 190 times for 1,250 yards and 23 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he had 50 tackles with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Gamecocks already have a pair of 3-star cornerbacks committed in 2017. Tavyn Jackson of James Rickards High School in Tallahassee, Fla. is the No. 84 ranked cornerback in the country. Damarri Mathis of Lakeland High School in Florida is No. 191. A commitment from Williams would be a shot in the arm to South Carolina’s overall recruiting ranking.
At this stage, that’s the best way to quantify what Williams would mean to the Gamecocks. But once he gets to this level, he’ll bring plenty to the table, whether as a cornerback, nickel back, safety and/or return man. Versatility is among the reasons why he’s so highly-regarded by recruiting analysts.
Listed at 5-foot-9, 172 pounds, Williams has drawn early comparisons to Tyrann Mathieu of the Arizona Cardinals, who is the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
Williams has the skillset to play cornerback, but size matters, especially when you’re matched 1-on-1 with a 6-foot-4 wide receiver. In Muschamp’s scheme, cornerbacks play a lot of press-man coverage, so that would be a pretty regular occurrence for Williams if he lands at South Carolina.
Though he’s certainly cut from the right kind of cloth, putting Williams 1-on-1 against bigger receivers may not always be in the best matchup. Again, much of his value will be discovered through his versatility.
Also trending for the Gamecocks
To go along with Tuesday’s Crystal Ball selections for Williams, a trio of picks were made for 4-star Hamsah Nasirildeen of Concord, N.C.
Interestingly enough, Alabama was tabbed as Nasirildeen’s destination just three days earlier, but industry contacts recently suggested that his offer from the Tide isn’t committable.
Skinny: As is the case with Williams, who was once considered a lock for Clemson, the preferred option may not be available for Nasirildeen. And, just like it might with Williams, that could pay serious dividends for South Carolina’s secondary.
Big WR target in Georgia
South Carolina continues to be a factor with 3-star WR Chad Terrell. The No. 60 ranked wide receiver from North Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga., recently told Phil Kornblutthat the Gamecocks remain in his top three.
NC State and Ole Miss round out his list. Oregon is a factor too.
“I’m going to visit Oregon soon, as soon as possible,” Terrell said. “I haven’t been able to label them yet just because I haven’t seen it yet.”
South Carolina had Terrell on campus in July.
Skinny: The level of South Carolina’s involvement could depend upon OrTre Smith. The Gamecocks continue to prioritize the 4-star, and a commitment could close the door on their 2017 wide receiver haul. However, if Smith picks Clemson on Sept. 11, that could change the way things look between South Carolina and Terrell.
SECCOUNTRY
August 11, 2016
Sizing up Williams
If Jamyest Williams does what most folks in the recruiting industry expect him to do, South Carolina fans will be partying in the streets of Five Points and The Vista come Saturday, Aug. 27. At least that’s what they should be doing.
Williams, who’s listed as the No. 57 overall prospect in the class of 2017, will announce his decision on the final Saturday of the month, before Grayson High School (Loganville, Ga.) hosts IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
SEC Country’s conversation about Williams and his trending interest in the Gamecocks commenced in early July.
The 247 Crystal Ball isn’t always spot-on – look no further than T.J. Moore – but, more often than not, it’s usually a pretty strong indicator of where a prospect is leaning.
Williams is favored to end up at South Carolina, according to the 247 Crystal Ball. Since he announced on Monday night that his commitment was coming at the end of the month,seven entries have been made for the Gamecocks.
It’s also worth noting that many Crystal Ball picks tend to be reactionary. One could reasonably assume that this is no exception.
If he commits to South Carolina, Williams would be the third 4-star in the Gamecocks class. He would also be the highest-ranked overall prospect.
As a junior at Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Ga., Williams rushed 190 times for 1,250 yards and 23 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he had 50 tackles with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Gamecocks already have a pair of 3-star cornerbacks committed in 2017. Tavyn Jackson of James Rickards High School in Tallahassee, Fla. is the No. 84 ranked cornerback in the country. Damarri Mathis of Lakeland High School in Florida is No. 191. A commitment from Williams would be a shot in the arm to South Carolina’s overall recruiting ranking.
At this stage, that’s the best way to quantify what Williams would mean to the Gamecocks. But once he gets to this level, he’ll bring plenty to the table, whether as a cornerback, nickel back, safety and/or return man. Versatility is among the reasons why he’s so highly-regarded by recruiting analysts.
Listed at 5-foot-9, 172 pounds, Williams has drawn early comparisons to Tyrann Mathieu of the Arizona Cardinals, who is the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
Williams has the skillset to play cornerback, but size matters, especially when you’re matched 1-on-1 with a 6-foot-4 wide receiver. In Muschamp’s scheme, cornerbacks play a lot of press-man coverage, so that would be a pretty regular occurrence for Williams if he lands at South Carolina.
Though he’s certainly cut from the right kind of cloth, putting Williams 1-on-1 against bigger receivers may not always be in the best matchup. Again, much of his value will be discovered through his versatility.
Also trending for the Gamecocks
To go along with Tuesday’s Crystal Ball selections for Williams, a trio of picks were made for 4-star Hamsah Nasirildeen of Concord, N.C.
Interestingly enough, Alabama was tabbed as Nasirildeen’s destination just three days earlier, but industry contacts recently suggested that his offer from the Tide isn’t committable.
Skinny: As is the case with Williams, who was once considered a lock for Clemson, the preferred option may not be available for Nasirildeen. And, just like it might with Williams, that could pay serious dividends for South Carolina’s secondary.
Big WR target in Georgia
South Carolina continues to be a factor with 3-star WR Chad Terrell. The No. 60 ranked wide receiver from North Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga., recently told Phil Kornblutthat the Gamecocks remain in his top three.
NC State and Ole Miss round out his list. Oregon is a factor too.
“I’m going to visit Oregon soon, as soon as possible,” Terrell said. “I haven’t been able to label them yet just because I haven’t seen it yet.”
South Carolina had Terrell on campus in July.
Skinny: The level of South Carolina’s involvement could depend upon OrTre Smith. The Gamecocks continue to prioritize the 4-star, and a commitment could close the door on their 2017 wide receiver haul. However, if Smith picks Clemson on Sept. 11, that could change the way things look between South Carolina and Terrell.
SECCOUNTRY