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South Carolina football recruiting: Gamecocks off to slow start in 2014 class

South Carolina ranks third-to-last in the SEC recruiting rankings so far.

Scott Cunningham

In 2011, South Carolina signed consensus No. 1 prospect Jadeveon Clowney, yet still managed to finish seventh in the SEC recruiting rankings. It's two years later, and the Gamecocks are still having trouble -- still unable to claim their first SEC title, and still unable to crack the top ranks of SEC recruiting.

Steve Spurrier’s 2014 class currently ranks 26th in the nation in the 247sports composite team rankings -- not bad, by any stretch of the imagination, but good for a pitiful 12th in an absolutely loaded SEC. Those rankings are a bit skewed, as the Gamecocks have the smallest class in the conference (with just 13 commitments), and South Carolina has not yet been able to dip back into the five-star well.

Top stars

That’s not to say the Gamecocks don’t have stars, with four four-star prospects and nine three-stars, but they haven’t quite been able to keep up with the frenetic pacing of SEC recruiting this year. South Carolina has received one commitment in the past month -- three-star wide receiver/dual threat quarterback Terry Googer, from Woodward Academy in Atlanta.

Wide receiver Shaq Davidson is the jewel of the Gamecocks’ class. The four-star prospect from Gaffney (S.C.) High School is considered the 11th-best receiver in the country and the third-best player in the state.

Cornerback Wesley Green is another top prospect for Steve Spurrier and Co. The four-star recruit from Martin Luther King Jr. (Ga.) High School is considered ranked the 16th-best cornerback in the country and the 11th-best player in the state.

Outside linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams is also considered one of the top commitments for South Carolina. The four-star prospect from Cedar Grove (Ga.) High School is considered the 14th-best outside linebacker in the country and the 15th-best player in the state.

On target

South Carolina has several stars in its sights.

Running back Derrell Scott, from Havelock (SC) High School, is a consensus four-star. South Carolina seems to be the heavy favorite to land Scott.

Offensive lineman Donnell Stanley, of Latta (SC), is would be an excellent get over the likes of Alabama and Clemson. Stanley is a consensus four-star recruit.

Consensus four-star defensive end Dante Sawyer, a defensive end/outside linebacker, is a talented pass rusher and a battle between the Gamecocks and Tennessee.

And Saluda (SC) defensive lineman Dexter Wideman, a consensus four-star, is currently committed to Florida State but many believe he will flip to the gamecocks.

If South Carolina can snag this group of four-stars, its class could shoot up the rankings.

More from SB Nation:

Solving Johnny Manziel: Chris “Smart Football” Brown on Bama-A&M

Five-part SI investigation into Oklahoma State football coming out

Spencer Hall recaps Week 2, and Mack Brown needs a home

Look closely: Jadeveon Clowney is doing just fine

Would coaches rather replace Mack Brown or Lane Kiffin?

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