Who’s left for the Gamecocks in 2018
July 05, 2017
Even though South Carolina’s list of 2018 commitments on 247Sports doesn’t include defensive end Tyreek Johnson, their lone holdover from 2017, the current class is up to 13.
Presuming Will Muschamp plans to sign a full 25-man class in February, the Gamecocks have 12 spots left in their 2018 haul.
However, with 11 seniors on the current roster and six transfers since February, South Carolina needs some more roster turnover, though that probably won’t be an issue. There are a couple of draft-eligible juniors who could make the jump to the NFL after the 2017 season. Plus, the program is still in transition, so more transfers are to be expected.
Below is a look at where things currently stand at each position for the Gamecocks’ 2018 recruiting class.
QB Dakereon Joyner committed on Father’s Day (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
Quarterback
South Carolina secured 4-star Dakereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C.) after his commitment on Father’s Day, but they’re still looking to add one more at the position.
Nearly all of the other quarterbacks that have an offer from the Gamecocks are committed elsewhere, so Muschamp and offensive Kurt Roper have begun to start looking at their other options, including Kevaris Thomas (Lakeland, Fla.), Cordel Littlejohn (Roswell, Ga.) and Carter Bradley (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 2
Running back
The thunder, 3-star Deshaun Fenwick (Bradenton, Fla.), committed in early May. Three-star Lavonte Valentine (Melbourne, Fla.), the lightning, struck about two months later on Independence Day.
After going without a scholarship player at the position in 2017, running backs coach Bobby Bentley has quite the one-two combination in Fenwick and Valentine.
Even though they’re “just 3-stars,” these two are worth bragging about to your buddies at work. Both prospects have high-level skillsets that will give them a chance to make an impact in the SEC.
Committed: 2
Projected takes: 2
Wide receiver
Raise your hand if you’d heard of Greeleyville, S.C. before learning about 3-star wide receiver Darius Rush, who committed in late February.
Same here.
While Rush may not have the recruiting profile or offer sheet that’s going to set the Internet on fire, he has plenty of tools on and off the field that will help make him an asset to the program.
A handful of 4-star prospects remain in the crosshairs, including Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.), Matthew Hill (Snellville, Ga.) and Tennessee commitment Alontae Taylor (Manchester, Tenn.). Also, 3-stars Sam Pinckney (Greenwood, S.C.), Tyquan Johnson (Sylvania, Ga.) and former Kentucky commitment Shocky Jacques-Louis (Fort Myers, Fla.) are in the mix.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 3
Tight end
This is probably the only position on South Carolina’s roster that doesn’t necessarily need an addition in 2018.
Several of their offered tight ends have either committed or are approaching commitments to other schools. At this juncture, 3-stars Tyneil Hopper (Roswell, Ga.) and Katerian Legrone (Atlanta, Ga.) could be the most realistic options.
Committed: 0
Projected takes: 0-1
Jovaugh Gwyn (left) was invited to The Opening finals in Oregon. (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
Offensive line
Three-star Maxwell Iyama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) profiles as a tackle and 3-star Wyatt Campbell (Lugoff, S.C.) could play both guard and tackle. Three-star LaMarius Benson (Covington, Ga.) will play guard and 3-star Hank Manos (Chapin, S.C.) is a center.
Four-star tackle Dylan Wonnum (Tucker, Ga.) and 3-star guard Jovaughn Gwyn (Charlotte, N.C.) appear to be the top remaining targets. Adding those two would further strengthen an already solid haul for offensive line coach Eric Wolford.
Wonnum and Gwyn could both make announcements before the end of the month.
Committed: 4
Projected takes: 5-6
Defensive end
Missing out on 5-star Xavier Thomas (Florence, S.C.) and 4-star Stephon Wynn (Anderson, S.C.) hasn’t sat well with Gamecock fans. A commitment by junior college target Dorian Gerald (Florence, S.C.) could help them back off the ledge, but if he decides to commit to Tennessee on Thursday, more whining may ensue.
Five-star K.J. Henry (Clemmons, N.C.), 4-star Azeez Ojulari (Marietta, Ga.) and 3-stars Raiqwon O’Neal (Conway, S.C.) and Kingsley Enagbare (Atlanta, Ga.) are among the other options at the position.
Johnson, a former Shrine Bowl participant out of Sumter, S.C., took a greyshirt earlier this year and is expected to enroll in January.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 2-3
Rick Sandidge worked out at The Opening finals in Oregon. (Sam Spiegelman/SEC Country)
Defensive tackle
South Carolina has two JUCO pledges in Dantrell Barkley (Kannapolis, N.C.) and Jabari Ellis (Vance, S.C.). Barkley is a bit of a project, but he’ll have three years to play three season when he arrives. Ellis, a three years to play two seasons prospect, will immediately compete for playing time.
The top remaining option is 4-star Rick Sandidge (Concord, N.C.).
Committed: 2
Projected takes: 2-3
Linebacker
Three-star commitment Ernest Jones (Waycross, Ga.) offers some versatility, profiling to play either inside or outside. Two of the top remaining are a little more defined in their respective skillsets.
Four-star Dax Hollifield (Shelby, N.C.) is a no-doubt-about-it middle linebacker while fellow 4-star Channing Tindall (Columbia, S.C.) looks like a definite for the outside, to go along with some potential as an edge defender at the “Buck” position.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 3
Cornerback
South Carolina could add its first 2018 cornerback when 4-star Jaycee Horn (Alpharetta, Ga.) makes his decision on July 15. Three-star Steven Gilmore (Rock Hill, S.C.) has scheduled a Sept. 17 announcement. Three-star Jakorey Hawkins (Montgomery, Ala.) is another potential option.
Committed: 0
Projected takes: 2
South Carolina was the first offer for Israel Mukuamu. (Sam Spiegelman/SEC Country)
Safety
When R.J. Roderick (Summerville, S.C.) arrives in January, he’ll complete his conversion from option quarterback to safety, but there’s plenty of upside to the 3-star prospect.
Four-star Trey Dean (Hampton, Ga.) is set to announce his commitment on July 31, but Georgia and Texas seem to be the most-likely destinations.
Three-star Israel Mukuamu (Bossier City, La.) played his first few seasons of high school ball in Berkeley, S.C., where he’ll return for an announcement on July 24. South Carolina is slated to host him for a visit just a few days prior. Could it be enough to unseat heavily favored Florida State?
Another 3-star, Jonathan Gipson (Hoschton, Ga.), is slated for a July announcement, though no date has been formally released. South Carolina is believed to be out front.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 2-3
SECCOUNTRY
July 05, 2017
Even though South Carolina’s list of 2018 commitments on 247Sports doesn’t include defensive end Tyreek Johnson, their lone holdover from 2017, the current class is up to 13.
Presuming Will Muschamp plans to sign a full 25-man class in February, the Gamecocks have 12 spots left in their 2018 haul.
However, with 11 seniors on the current roster and six transfers since February, South Carolina needs some more roster turnover, though that probably won’t be an issue. There are a couple of draft-eligible juniors who could make the jump to the NFL after the 2017 season. Plus, the program is still in transition, so more transfers are to be expected.
Below is a look at where things currently stand at each position for the Gamecocks’ 2018 recruiting class.
QB Dakereon Joyner committed on Father’s Day (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
Quarterback
South Carolina secured 4-star Dakereon Joyner (North Charleston, S.C.) after his commitment on Father’s Day, but they’re still looking to add one more at the position.
Nearly all of the other quarterbacks that have an offer from the Gamecocks are committed elsewhere, so Muschamp and offensive Kurt Roper have begun to start looking at their other options, including Kevaris Thomas (Lakeland, Fla.), Cordel Littlejohn (Roswell, Ga.) and Carter Bradley (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 2
Running back
The thunder, 3-star Deshaun Fenwick (Bradenton, Fla.), committed in early May. Three-star Lavonte Valentine (Melbourne, Fla.), the lightning, struck about two months later on Independence Day.
After going without a scholarship player at the position in 2017, running backs coach Bobby Bentley has quite the one-two combination in Fenwick and Valentine.
Even though they’re “just 3-stars,” these two are worth bragging about to your buddies at work. Both prospects have high-level skillsets that will give them a chance to make an impact in the SEC.
Committed: 2
Projected takes: 2
Wide receiver
Raise your hand if you’d heard of Greeleyville, S.C. before learning about 3-star wide receiver Darius Rush, who committed in late February.
Same here.
While Rush may not have the recruiting profile or offer sheet that’s going to set the Internet on fire, he has plenty of tools on and off the field that will help make him an asset to the program.
A handful of 4-star prospects remain in the crosshairs, including Josh Vann (Tucker, Ga.), Matthew Hill (Snellville, Ga.) and Tennessee commitment Alontae Taylor (Manchester, Tenn.). Also, 3-stars Sam Pinckney (Greenwood, S.C.), Tyquan Johnson (Sylvania, Ga.) and former Kentucky commitment Shocky Jacques-Louis (Fort Myers, Fla.) are in the mix.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 3
Tight end
This is probably the only position on South Carolina’s roster that doesn’t necessarily need an addition in 2018.
Several of their offered tight ends have either committed or are approaching commitments to other schools. At this juncture, 3-stars Tyneil Hopper (Roswell, Ga.) and Katerian Legrone (Atlanta, Ga.) could be the most realistic options.
Committed: 0
Projected takes: 0-1
Jovaugh Gwyn (left) was invited to The Opening finals in Oregon. (Hale McGranahan/SEC Country)
Offensive line
Three-star Maxwell Iyama (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) profiles as a tackle and 3-star Wyatt Campbell (Lugoff, S.C.) could play both guard and tackle. Three-star LaMarius Benson (Covington, Ga.) will play guard and 3-star Hank Manos (Chapin, S.C.) is a center.
Four-star tackle Dylan Wonnum (Tucker, Ga.) and 3-star guard Jovaughn Gwyn (Charlotte, N.C.) appear to be the top remaining targets. Adding those two would further strengthen an already solid haul for offensive line coach Eric Wolford.
Wonnum and Gwyn could both make announcements before the end of the month.
Committed: 4
Projected takes: 5-6
Defensive end
Missing out on 5-star Xavier Thomas (Florence, S.C.) and 4-star Stephon Wynn (Anderson, S.C.) hasn’t sat well with Gamecock fans. A commitment by junior college target Dorian Gerald (Florence, S.C.) could help them back off the ledge, but if he decides to commit to Tennessee on Thursday, more whining may ensue.
Five-star K.J. Henry (Clemmons, N.C.), 4-star Azeez Ojulari (Marietta, Ga.) and 3-stars Raiqwon O’Neal (Conway, S.C.) and Kingsley Enagbare (Atlanta, Ga.) are among the other options at the position.
Johnson, a former Shrine Bowl participant out of Sumter, S.C., took a greyshirt earlier this year and is expected to enroll in January.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 2-3
Rick Sandidge worked out at The Opening finals in Oregon. (Sam Spiegelman/SEC Country)
Defensive tackle
South Carolina has two JUCO pledges in Dantrell Barkley (Kannapolis, N.C.) and Jabari Ellis (Vance, S.C.). Barkley is a bit of a project, but he’ll have three years to play three season when he arrives. Ellis, a three years to play two seasons prospect, will immediately compete for playing time.
The top remaining option is 4-star Rick Sandidge (Concord, N.C.).
Committed: 2
Projected takes: 2-3
Linebacker
Three-star commitment Ernest Jones (Waycross, Ga.) offers some versatility, profiling to play either inside or outside. Two of the top remaining are a little more defined in their respective skillsets.
Four-star Dax Hollifield (Shelby, N.C.) is a no-doubt-about-it middle linebacker while fellow 4-star Channing Tindall (Columbia, S.C.) looks like a definite for the outside, to go along with some potential as an edge defender at the “Buck” position.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 3
Cornerback
South Carolina could add its first 2018 cornerback when 4-star Jaycee Horn (Alpharetta, Ga.) makes his decision on July 15. Three-star Steven Gilmore (Rock Hill, S.C.) has scheduled a Sept. 17 announcement. Three-star Jakorey Hawkins (Montgomery, Ala.) is another potential option.
Committed: 0
Projected takes: 2
South Carolina was the first offer for Israel Mukuamu. (Sam Spiegelman/SEC Country)
Safety
When R.J. Roderick (Summerville, S.C.) arrives in January, he’ll complete his conversion from option quarterback to safety, but there’s plenty of upside to the 3-star prospect.
Four-star Trey Dean (Hampton, Ga.) is set to announce his commitment on July 31, but Georgia and Texas seem to be the most-likely destinations.
Three-star Israel Mukuamu (Bossier City, La.) played his first few seasons of high school ball in Berkeley, S.C., where he’ll return for an announcement on July 24. South Carolina is slated to host him for a visit just a few days prior. Could it be enough to unseat heavily favored Florida State?
Another 3-star, Jonathan Gipson (Hoschton, Ga.), is slated for a July announcement, though no date has been formally released. South Carolina is believed to be out front.
Committed: 1
Projected takes: 2-3
SECCOUNTRY
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