What Jamario Holley’s commitment means for the Gamecocks
February 02, 2018
Holley’s pledge moves South Carolina’s class ranking up to No. 11 in the country, according to the 247Sports composite. The Gamecocks are also fourth in the SEC.
The No. 293 overall prospect in the country is the top-ranked member of South Carolina’s class, ahead of 4-star defensive end Rodricus Fitten (Atlanta, Ga.). Holley (Rock Hill, S.C.) is the nation’s 44 wide receiver and the No. 2 overall prospect from the state of South Carolina.
They’re the only 4-star prospects in the Gamecocks class.
What South Carolina is getting
From this perspective, Holley is appropriately rated by the 247Sports composite. There would be an issue if he was a 3-star, where Rivals has him. They’ve also listed him as the No. 4 prospect from South Carolina.
Holley, again, is appropriately ranked by the composite as the No. 2 2019 prospect from the state, because Zacch Pickens is the best — South Carolina’s in good standing with him, too.
But more on Holley, who’s comparable to Gamecock wide receiver Shi Smith, a former 4-star recruit coming off a strong freshman campaign.
Smith, of course, worked primarily out of the slot last season, but showed he’s capable of taking the top off the defense. It’s not clear who’s faster — Smith is one of the fastest guys on the team, if not the fastest. But Holley can run, no doubt.
They’re also pretty close to the same size: Holley is listed at 6-feet, 180 pounds and Smith is 5-10, 179, according to the Gamecocks latest roster.
Holley does a lot of different things for Northwestern. He moves around from the outside, to the slot, goes in motion. But here’s to thinking that he profiles as a slot for South Carolina.
Northwestern coach James Martin had this to say about Holley last month, during an on-site interview with SEC Country:
“I think he’s just a deadly weapon. You’ve got to account for him, wherever he’s at on the field. Defenses have to decide if they’re going to try to play him man on man or try to bracket him and play a high-low, take two guys to cover him. If they do that, it opens up other spots in our pass and run game, but just the routes that he runs, his quickness, acceleration after he catches the ball.”
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5532294/5a0c4790bed6e50ecceb91a5
What stands out after watching Holley’s highlights?
Looks natural catching the ball, has strong hands.
Elusive after the catch, quick in small spaces.
Has the potential to help as a punt returner.
Call it a day
Don’t be surprised if Holley is the only wide receiver South Carolina adds in the 2019 class. After going heavy at the position in the last three recruiting cycles, there’s not a lot of room on the roster.
One 2019 prospect, who’s since committed to another school, told SEC Country that the Gamecocks coaches told him they planned to sign only one wide receiver.
Obviously, attrition could change those plans, but they could be one-and-done at the position. Time will certainly tell whether or not that plays out to be the case.
February 02, 2018
Holley’s pledge moves South Carolina’s class ranking up to No. 11 in the country, according to the 247Sports composite. The Gamecocks are also fourth in the SEC.
The No. 293 overall prospect in the country is the top-ranked member of South Carolina’s class, ahead of 4-star defensive end Rodricus Fitten (Atlanta, Ga.). Holley (Rock Hill, S.C.) is the nation’s 44 wide receiver and the No. 2 overall prospect from the state of South Carolina.
They’re the only 4-star prospects in the Gamecocks class.
What South Carolina is getting
From this perspective, Holley is appropriately rated by the 247Sports composite. There would be an issue if he was a 3-star, where Rivals has him. They’ve also listed him as the No. 4 prospect from South Carolina.
Holley, again, is appropriately ranked by the composite as the No. 2 2019 prospect from the state, because Zacch Pickens is the best — South Carolina’s in good standing with him, too.
But more on Holley, who’s comparable to Gamecock wide receiver Shi Smith, a former 4-star recruit coming off a strong freshman campaign.
Smith, of course, worked primarily out of the slot last season, but showed he’s capable of taking the top off the defense. It’s not clear who’s faster — Smith is one of the fastest guys on the team, if not the fastest. But Holley can run, no doubt.
They’re also pretty close to the same size: Holley is listed at 6-feet, 180 pounds and Smith is 5-10, 179, according to the Gamecocks latest roster.
Holley does a lot of different things for Northwestern. He moves around from the outside, to the slot, goes in motion. But here’s to thinking that he profiles as a slot for South Carolina.
Northwestern coach James Martin had this to say about Holley last month, during an on-site interview with SEC Country:
“I think he’s just a deadly weapon. You’ve got to account for him, wherever he’s at on the field. Defenses have to decide if they’re going to try to play him man on man or try to bracket him and play a high-low, take two guys to cover him. If they do that, it opens up other spots in our pass and run game, but just the routes that he runs, his quickness, acceleration after he catches the ball.”
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5532294/5a0c4790bed6e50ecceb91a5
What stands out after watching Holley’s highlights?
Looks natural catching the ball, has strong hands.
Elusive after the catch, quick in small spaces.
Has the potential to help as a punt returner.
Call it a day
Don’t be surprised if Holley is the only wide receiver South Carolina adds in the 2019 class. After going heavy at the position in the last three recruiting cycles, there’s not a lot of room on the roster.
One 2019 prospect, who’s since committed to another school, told SEC Country that the Gamecocks coaches told him they planned to sign only one wide receiver.
Obviously, attrition could change those plans, but they could be one-and-done at the position. Time will certainly tell whether or not that plays out to be the case.