South Carolina added two football commitments, including the Gamecocks’ first in-state pledge for the 2016 class, on Saturday during its junior day.
Conway wide receiver Bryan Edwards (6-3, 208) had USC and Georgia at the top of his list before Saturday, but saw enough on junior day to commit to the Gamecocks. Edwards, who is regarded as one of the state’s top prospects for the 2016 recruiting class, also had offers from Clemson, Virginia Tech, Florida, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Wake Forest and California.
Edwards said he likes the idea of being part of Steve Spurrier’s offense.
“They spread the ball around,” he said. “They share the wealth. I feel like if I can make plays I can fit in any offense. Coach Spurrier is a great coach and he’s turned that program up.”
Edwards is the second receiver for USC’s 2016 class, joining Kyle Davis of Lawrenceville, Ga.
Running back CJ Freeman (5-11, 190) of Greensboro, N.C., had a recent conversation with former USC star running back Marcus Lattimore, and that really got him thinking seriously about joining the Gamecocks. Freeman took the next step on Saturday during the junior day by committing to USC in the hopes of becoming that next great USC running back.
Freeman has rushed for 3,800 yards and 48 touchdowns the past two seasons and led his team to state championships under the direction of former Hartsville and Lancaster coach Johnny Roscoe. Freeman came to USC’s first junior day in January and always had the Gamecocks high on his list. He also strongly considered Virginia Tech and had offers as well from West Virginia, Wake Forest and Washington State. The Gamecocks now have five commitments for the 2016 class.
In other recruiting news:
Goose Creek defensive end Javon Kinlaw has had USC at the top of his list since the Gamecocks were the first to offer him in August 2014. And he went to the junior day thinking he might be ready to commit. But that didn’t happen Saturday, and Kinlaw says no commitment is coming from him anytime soon.
“I’m putting things on hold for a while,” said Kinlaw, who added that he didn’t get the feeling from the Gamecocks they were ready to accept a commitment from him. “Everything was nice talking about the brand new facilities and stuff like that. I just love it up there. It’s great. I just feel like I’m not ready yet.”
Kinlaw met with his recruiter Steve Spurrier Jr. and defensive line coach Deke Adams but did not talk with Steve Spurrier, Jon Hoke or Lorenzo Ward. Despite not making a pledge Saturday, Kinlaw said he’s still favoring the Gamecocks strongly over the rest of the field. He also has offers from Clemson, Alabama, Florida, Louisville, East Carolina, Florida State and Auburn. Clemson, Florida and Florida State are three others that have stood out to Kinlaw.
Clemson picked up its second commitment from the IMG Academy football program when linebacker Rahshaun Smith (6-3, 230) announced his plans last week to join teammate TJ Chase, a wide receiver, with the Tigers. Smith attends the school in Bradenton, Fla., but he lives in Baltimore.
Smith chose the Tigers from more than 40 offers. He also had Oklahoma, Maryland, Penn State and Ohio State high on his final list. Clemson moved into a strong position with Smith after he first attended a camp last summer, then went to a game last season, and finally attended the junior day in late January. Smith is the eighth commitment for the Tigers’ 2016 class and the second linebacker.
Linebacker Brandon Hill of Heathwood Hall committed to Duke on Sunday. Hill had accumulated an impressive offer list that also included Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Yale, Pittsburgh, Georgia, Tennessee and Notre Dame. He also had been talking with USC. Hill is the fifth Palmetto State prospect for the 2016 class to commit to an out-of-state program. Hanahan wide receiver Samuel Denmark and Greer defensive back Troy Pride are committed to Virginia Tech, Lake Marion defensive back James Valdez is committed to N.C. State and Dutch Fork defensive back Stephen Davis Jr. is committed to Auburn.
Offensive lineman Will Fries (6-6, 280) of Cranford, N.J., will hit the recruiting trail early next month. Fries will visit Northwestern on April 3-4 and then will head south to see Clemson on April 6 and USC the following day. Fries said his mom will join him on the visits to Clemson and USC. He has already seen Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Duke and Virginia.
Linebacker TJ Brunson of Richland Northeast has been a regular at USC’s practices this spring and was on the sideline Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium for the Gamecocks’ first full scrimmage of spring. Brunson was prepared to commit to the Gamecocks earlier this month but held off doing so because USC wants to see how healthy his hip is after having arthroscopic surgery. In the interim, Brunson said he’s been hearing regularly from Gamecocks recruiters Spurrier Jr., Kirk Botkin and Ward.
“The offer is still good and they are going to wait until my senior year to evaluate some film and make sure I can still play,” said Brunson, who recorded 134 tackles last season. “They are still up there but not committing until I get to make sure I’m 100 percent.”
Brunson said he will also attend USC’s spring game April 11.
Former Kansas safety Isaiah Johnson said his decision on a new school will come from between USC and Louisville. Wake Forest was a third program under consideration, but Johnson said he’s now down to the Gamecocks and Cardinals. He will make his official visit to USC on April 11 and will go to Louisville the following weekend.
Johnson, who is from Cary, N.C., said his parents will come down to Columbia to join him for his official visit with the Gamecocks. Johnson said there’s no favorite between the finalists, and the visits will tell the tale. He will enroll as a graduate student at his new school and will be eligible immediately.
Clemson is in touch with linebacker Garrett Hooker of Thomasville, N.C., but has not yet offered. Hooker said the Tigers invited him to their junior day earlier this month but he couldn’t make it. He’s now looking at a possible visit there for the spring game. He has offers from Wake Forest, Duke, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.
DL Rashan Gary of Paramus, N.J., plans to visit USC on Thursday. The national recruit is also expected to see Clemson while he’s in the state. He has family ties to the state.
Clemson OL target Parker Boudreaux of Orlando, Fla., visited Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and Mississippi last week. He has upcoming visits set with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Notre Dame.
Fort Dorchester OL John Simpson visited Mississippi State and Alabama over the weekend.
USC offered Laurens DB Thomas Jones while he was in for the junior day Saturday. He also has offers from Duke, Charlotte and Miami of Ohio.
The Gamecocks also offered RB Tre Harbison of Shelby, N.C., who also was in for junior day. He also has offers from North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Virginia, East Carolina, Boston College and N.C. State.
Barnwell RB Shakur Chisolm plans to visit Clemson on April 6 with his cousin, 2017 DB D’Najee Whosendove of Allendale-Fairfax.
Blythewood DB Khris Pam is planning to visit Michigan State and Wake Forest and to go to Clemson’s spring game.
Clemson offered DB Kareem Felder Jr. of Baltimore, who is a Virginia Tech commitment.
USC offered OL Jauan Williams of Washington, D.C. He also has a Clemson offer.
RB Tyrek Tisdale of Orlando, who at one time was favoring USC, committed to Florida over the weekend.
Saluda coach Stewart Young reports he has a pair of prospects for the 2016 class. OL Cortez Herrin (6-4 320) is going to visit Furman this Saturday. He’s also hearing from Georgia Southern and is also getting interest from Coastal Carolina. And DB/WR Jamarion Mathis (6-2 185) has been offered by Miami of Ohio. He’s also heard from Kentucky, N.C. State and Louisville. He was the team’s leading receiver last season and is a three-year starter.
Young said he has a junior running back in Malik Brooks (5-10 185) who he expects to develop into a prospect. He missed all of last season after breaking his wrist in the opening game but he rushed for over 600 yards as a freshman.
USC has had a strong recruiting presence in the Stone Mountain area of metro Atlanta, and that will continue into the 2017 recruiting season. ATH Carlito Gonzalez (6-2, 190) of Stephenson High, who the Gamecocks view as a safety, is very strong on USC at this point and is thinking about committing when he visits later this month. “I’m close (on committing) but there some things I want to find out, like what safeties and receivers are being recruited, and see where I fit in,” Gonzalez said. “I really like South Carolina since they were my first offer. They are looking real good in my eyes right now.” Working in the Gamecocks’ favor is the presence of 2015 signee DJ Neal, who is a teammate and close friend of Gonzalez. “He’s always whispering stuff in my ear,” said Gonzalez. “I’d say the chance on committing is 50-50.” Gonzalez said there are several things about the USC program he likes that have moved him close to a pledge. “I like the excitement that I’ve seen from watching the games,” he said. “Them being my first offer. They are getting players into the league. And it’s close to home. I’m thinking about committing. I really like the school, but I don’t know. But as of now, I’m very interested in the school and they are very interested in me. I’m just looking forward to finding out different information.” Gonzalez said he hopes to visit USC within the next two weeks. Kentucky is his only other offer at this point, but he’s also hearing from Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Michigan State. Last season at free safety Gonzalez had 30 tackles with 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.
USC is the first to offer 2017 OL Cesar Ruiz of Camden, N.J., and the first to offer eighth grader Dominick Blaylock of Atlanta, the son of former NBA star Mookie Blaylock. Blaylock attended USC’s junior day Saturday when Steve Spurrier and GA Mangus made the offer. He attends Dickerson Middle School, which feeds into Walton High School.
Basketball
Jamall Gregory of Washington, D.C., made an official visit to USC over the weekend with his mother and said he plans to decide between the Gamecocks and Kansas State later this week. He has not yet visited Kansas State. Gregory was not prepared to declare a public favorite Sunday after his visit to Columbia, but he made it clear he fully enjoyed his time checking out the campus and the program.
Gregory also has offers from DePaul, Canisius, Florida Gulf Coast, Rutgers and Minnesota. He averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game this past season for his prep school in Delray Beach, Fla.
Jaren Sina, the former Seton Hall guard who is looking for a new basketball home, also made an official visit to USC over the weekend. Sina also has Michigan, Boston College, Stanford, Rhode Island, George Washington and Binghamton on his list. His sister plays for Binghamton and he has taken an official visit there.
The USC basketball coaching staff has been recruiting 7-0 center Conor Clifford of Saddleback JC in California since December and is one of two schools set for an official visit at this point, according to his coach. Clifford visited Washington State this weekend and will also take an official with the Gamecocks at some point, coach Andy Ground said Thursday.
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