Putting all the pieces together. So it was last week for new South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer.
Coach by coach and player by player, Beamer is in the early stages of rebuilding the Gamecocks. Last week, he added a linebacker via the NCAA transfer portal. This week, the focus on recruiting continues.
New Orleans linebacker Kolbe Fields, who previously pledged and then withdrew from Oklahoma and Memphis, expects the third time to be the charm.
“I talk to all those coaches there. I’ve talked to the whole team so far, ”said Fields of USC. “Coach (Mike) Peterson. I talk to Coach Beamer a lot. And I talk a lot with Coach (Drew) Hughes. “
Fields said Gamecock coaches explained how it would be used in their defense, but its appeal goes beyond the field.
“How everyone is telling me how great people are,” said Fields. “I think I can thrive on what they want me to do, of course. Whatever they want me to do, I think I can do it. “
Fields made 105 tackles with 13 missed tackles and 3 interceptions last season and was named the district’s defensive MVP.
USC’s sold-out secondary had a small boost last week when cornerback David Spaulding of Hinesville, Georgia, announced his plan to move from Southern Georgia. Spaulding was eliminated in 2019 at Georgia Southern and played in eight games last season, registering seven tackles, a split pass and an interception.
Spaulding comes from the same school as USC running back Kevin Harris. As a senior, he carried a 3-star rating. He had 43 tackles and an interception, and also took 20 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Darryl (Debo) Williams also announced on Thursday that he is moving from Delaware to USC. Despite a sensational high school career, Williams was not a highly recruited candidate and therefore signed with Blue Hens in December 2019. He was rated a potential 3 star customer on 247Sports Composite and was ranked as the 113th national linebacker .
Williams never got a chance to play for Delaware because the FCS program chose not to play ball this fall.
“I’ll put it that way,” said Williams. “I had no SEC offer leaving college. All teams have to pay for it. Coming for revenge. “
Williams had 153 tackles and eight sacks as a veteran and became the best defender ever in school.
“In all of those 500 tackles, I was just trying to hurt whoever had the ball 500 times,” said Williams. “I play to put fear in people, that’s what I’m here for. Football is a fun game, but I’m not here to have fun, I’m here to put fear on you. “
Williams will have the full four years of eligibility with Gamecocks and is planning to make a name for himself at USC and SEC.
“Very excited to be with Gamecocks at the SEC, it doesn’t get any better than that,” said Williams. “I am arriving with a new technical commission, we are coming to win and just to win. My opportunity here at the University of South Carolina is huge. I am simply blessed. Delaware kids can’t go to a big school like USC. “
Linebacker Trevin Wallace of Jessup, Georgia, has become a big deal in recruiting since he left Boston College in late November. He declined the subscription in December and threw in the dice on offers he could attract for February.
So far it has worked well. Wallace saw USC, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Kentucky come to the table. Intensity is increasing among schools, but Wallace is not ready to push the issue.
“Actually, there was no movement because I have let everything go through my head and goose bumps,” said Wallace. “I’m just spending time with my family now and I will worry about these things later, until the subscription period approaches.”
Wallace is a 4-star recruit at 247Sports Composite. He is classified as the No. 13 domestic linebacker nationally in the class.
Safety Juwon Gaston of Montgomery, Alabama, does not plan to announce its decision on college until February’s National Signing Day, but is approaching the decision.
Beamer has been leading the attack on the Gamecocks, and right now his efforts are paying off.
“I’m at the peak of making my decision now,” said Gaston. “I’m almost there. I’m almost ready to make my decision. South Carolina and Tennessee.
“South Carolina leads. A good bit. Very. I’m supposed to be working on my edition this week, but I’m not going to release it. I will announce on the day of signing. I’ll do everything else. “
Gaston had 98 tackles and five interceptions last season, and was chosen to play the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
Linebacker Tavareon Martin-Scott of Dodge City (Kan.) JC remains on the USC list. He will be returning to Kansas from his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, soon and expects the team to play a season this spring. He said he has been talking to Beamer along with new assistant Pete Lembo and personnel director Drew Hughes.
“They are definitely trying to catch me,” said Martin-Scott. “They are definitely in the top three. They were one of the first teams to offer me. And with him (Beamer) coming and wanting to offer me, that was great for me. “
Martin-Scott also named West Virginia, Mississippi State, Texas Tech and Arkansas among his top five.
USC offered defensive tackle Jahkeem Green, a Sumter native and former Gamecock pledge he signed with Nebraska and now plans to transfer. Green said he has Gamecocks at the top of his list and hopes to have his plans done in a few days.
Former Clemson defensive striker Jordan Williams has attracted the interest of recruiters from the USC and North Carolina, among others, since the announcement of his transfer.
Joseph Anderson, a former USC defender, committed to Purdue. Former USC security Jammie Robinson and Gamecocks attack Keir Thomas, committed to the state of Florida.
Shamar McCollum, a former Dillon defender, is moving from Wake Forest.
Kendrell Flowers, ex-Wake Forest and Irmo, has committed to SC State.
Former NC State striker Zovon Lindsay is moving to Coastal Carolina.
The first Baptist wide receiver / defensive Sevaughn Washington committed to The Citadel.
Basketball
USC last week landed 6-11 Tre-Vaughn Minott, a Montreal native who attended the NBA Academy Latin America for the last time. Minott enrolled at the school on Wednesday and is qualified to play immediately.
Minott lost about 40 pounds while living in Mexico and is reduced to about 240 pounds. It was classified as the No. 7 prospect in Canada for the 2021 class, according to the North Pole Hoops.