South Carolina is expecting to welcome a nice group of official visitors this weekend as it tries to wrap up its 2013 recruiting class.
South Carolina football recruiting: Na’Ty Rodgers, Yannick Ngakoue visiting Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are still trying to solidify a top 15 recruiting class for 2013, and they’ll be hosting a number of uncommitted players that could help make that happen this weekend.
The Gamecocks are expected visits from committed recruits including linebacker Larenz Bryant, a consensus four-star recruit from Charlotte (N.C.) Zebulon B. Vance High School, defensive tackle Kelsey Griffin, a consensus four-star recruit from Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek High School, running back David Williams, a consensus four-star recruit from Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Institute Charter, defensive end Devin Washington, a consensus three-star recruit from Orlando (Fla.) Jones High School, center Bryce King, a consensus three-star recruit from Dillon (S.C.) Dillon High School, athlete Pharoh Cooper, a consensus three-star recruit from Havelock (N.C.) Havelock High School, and defensive end David Johnson, a consensus three-star recruit from Lithonia (Ga.) Lithonia High School.
They will be looking to sway the a group of recruits that is currently uncommitted or committed elsewhere.
One such recruit is linebacker Yannick Ngakoue, a consensus four-star recruit from Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy. Ngakoue, who is currently uncommitted, took an official visit to Florida State on Jan. 11, and is scheduled to take an official visit with Miami on Jan. 25. Bud Elliott’s take: This is a true three-way battle between The Seminoles, Gamecocks and the hometown Terrapins. Ngakoue just turned 17 and is still growing. At 6’4 and 230 pounds, that’s scary.
South Carolina will also try to convince offensive tackle Na’Ty Rodgers, a consensus three-star recruit from Pomfret (Md.) Maurice J. McDonough High School to play for the Gamecocks. Rodgers is currently scheduled to take an official visit to Florida State on Jan. 25. Bud Elliott’s take: Much like Ngakoue, this is a true three-way battle between The Seminoles, Gamecocks and the hometown Terrapins, but Florida is also looking to get in the mix.
Another prospect that will be in Columbia this weekend is linebacker Skai Moore, a consensus three-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School. Moore de-committed from Rutgers on Jan. 8, and is scheduled to take an official visit to Arkansas on Jan. 25. Bud Elliott’s take: Moore is a tremendous recruit who the Hurricanes (and the Seminoles and Gators, if they had room) will seriously regret offering. He should be a consensus four-star prospect.
Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat will also be taking an official visit this weekend. Senat is a consensus three-star recruit from Immokalee (Fla.) Immokalee High School, and took an official visit to South Florida on Jan. 11. Bud Elliott’s take: Senat is short, but plays with good leverage and could be a good player for South Carolina.
South Carolina will also hope to sway linebacker Jonathan Walton, a consensus three-star recruit from Daphne (Ala.) Bayside Academy, to join the Gamecocks. Walton is a Penn State commit, but took an official visit to Tennessee on Jan. 11, and is scheduled to take an official visit to Auburn on Jan. 25. Bud Elliott’s take: Walton seems open to listening to the pitches of others.
The weather in Columbia this weekend will be sunny, but a bit on the cool side.
