What South Carolina recruiting fans should be thankful for this year
November 23, 2017
South Carolina’s 2018 signing class has three 4-star commitments and a handful of 3-star prospects who are likely to outplay that rating.
While the Gamecocks remain in the mix for a few more highly rated prospects, this Thanksgiving is about counting what’s in the boat right now. And there’s already a lot to be thankful for, less than one month before the first signing period of the 2018 recruiting cycle.
Skill players
The top four commitments in South Carolina’s 2018 class play skill positions: Quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back.
Four-star wide receiver Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.) is the top-rated member of the class at No. 164 overall in the 247Sports composite. Among wide receivers, he’s No. 32.
Four-star quarterback Dakereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C.) is second at No. 222 overall. He’s also the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback.
Former Auburn cornerback Marlon Character Jr., who’s originally from Atlanta, is currently enrolled at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He’ll play cornerback at South Carolina, but is listed as the No. 1 junior college safety.
Another Atlanta-area prospect: 3-star cornerback Jonathan Gipson (Hoschton, Ga.) is the fourth-best prospect in the Gamecocks class at No. 428 overall. He’s at the top of our expected-to-out-play-the-3-star-ranking-list.
The O-line numbers
Five offensive line prospects are on board as commitments to South Carolina’s class. Because the Gamecocks are set to lose three senior offensive linemen, building the numbers at the position was a priority.
According to the 247Sports composite, 3-star tackle Maxwell Iyama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) is the highest-ranked offensive lineman in the Class of 2018 (481). Among offensive tackles, he’s No. 37.
Hank Manos, a 3-star center from nearby Chapin, S.C., was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. He’s ranked as the No. 13 center in the country.
Another in-state production: 3-star tackle Wyatt Campbell (Lugoff, S.C.) is the No. 69 offensive tackle in the country.
All three are set to enroll at South Carolina in January.
Three-star tackle Jesus Gibbs (Dumfries, Va.) and 3-star defensive tackle Lamarius Benson (Covington, Ga.) also remain committed to the Gamecocks.
Dogged recruiters
Coach Will Muschamp leads the charge as the recruiting coordinator. Several of the top remaining prospects, including 4-star linebacker Channing Tindall (Columbia, S.C.), have Muschamp as their primary recruiter to South Carolina.
Defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson is regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country. Co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon is also in that conversation.
McClendon, who’s ranked by 247Sports as the No. 58 recruiter for the current cycle, has helped reel in commitments from seven prospects, including Vann.
Offensive line coach Eric Wolford is off to a good start in his second stint in Columbia, but there’s still one big fish left to reel in: 4-star tackle Dylan Wonnum (Tucker, Ga.).
November 23, 2017
South Carolina’s 2018 signing class has three 4-star commitments and a handful of 3-star prospects who are likely to outplay that rating.
While the Gamecocks remain in the mix for a few more highly rated prospects, this Thanksgiving is about counting what’s in the boat right now. And there’s already a lot to be thankful for, less than one month before the first signing period of the 2018 recruiting cycle.
Skill players
The top four commitments in South Carolina’s 2018 class play skill positions: Quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back.
Four-star wide receiver Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.) is the top-rated member of the class at No. 164 overall in the 247Sports composite. Among wide receivers, he’s No. 32.
Four-star quarterback Dakereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C.) is second at No. 222 overall. He’s also the No. 10 dual-threat quarterback.
Former Auburn cornerback Marlon Character Jr., who’s originally from Atlanta, is currently enrolled at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He’ll play cornerback at South Carolina, but is listed as the No. 1 junior college safety.
Another Atlanta-area prospect: 3-star cornerback Jonathan Gipson (Hoschton, Ga.) is the fourth-best prospect in the Gamecocks class at No. 428 overall. He’s at the top of our expected-to-out-play-the-3-star-ranking-list.
The O-line numbers
Five offensive line prospects are on board as commitments to South Carolina’s class. Because the Gamecocks are set to lose three senior offensive linemen, building the numbers at the position was a priority.
According to the 247Sports composite, 3-star tackle Maxwell Iyama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) is the highest-ranked offensive lineman in the Class of 2018 (481). Among offensive tackles, he’s No. 37.
Hank Manos, a 3-star center from nearby Chapin, S.C., was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. He’s ranked as the No. 13 center in the country.
Another in-state production: 3-star tackle Wyatt Campbell (Lugoff, S.C.) is the No. 69 offensive tackle in the country.
All three are set to enroll at South Carolina in January.
Three-star tackle Jesus Gibbs (Dumfries, Va.) and 3-star defensive tackle Lamarius Benson (Covington, Ga.) also remain committed to the Gamecocks.
Dogged recruiters
Coach Will Muschamp leads the charge as the recruiting coordinator. Several of the top remaining prospects, including 4-star linebacker Channing Tindall (Columbia, S.C.), have Muschamp as their primary recruiter to South Carolina.
Defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson is regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country. Co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon is also in that conversation.
McClendon, who’s ranked by 247Sports as the No. 58 recruiter for the current cycle, has helped reel in commitments from seven prospects, including Vann.
Offensive line coach Eric Wolford is off to a good start in his second stint in Columbia, but there’s still one big fish left to reel in: 4-star tackle Dylan Wonnum (Tucker, Ga.).
