South Carolina could fill the last spot on its 2021 football recruitment course with a transfer from Assumption University, a Division II program in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Carlins Platel, a 6-2, 90-pound cornerback, said it was offered by the Gamecocks after recent conversations with coach Shane Beamer, defensive coordinator Clayton White and secondary coach Torrian Gray. Gamecocks and the state of Mississippi are facing a transfer portal battle.
“I like South Carolina very much. I like the state of Mississippi very much,” said Platel. “I am learning more about schools. I have more meetings with South Carolina. I’m loving the school so far. I am loving what they are doing there. I think it would be a great opportunity. “
Platel said he heard about the Gamecocks for the first time last week and that the first talks went well.
“Things started to pile up and then they pulled the trigger and offered,” said Platel. “They see me coming and playing. Obviously, I have to do it down there and compete. There is an opportunity there. I just have to do my part. “
Platel added that the relationship he built with Gamecock coaches made him feel very comfortable with them.
But the same goes for the state of Mississippi, he said.
“They are just a rising team at SEC West,” said Platel. “They need some guys there to compete for jobs. They think I can go in and compete to play in any corner, nickel or safety. They want to put their best guys on the field. “
Platel is collecting information and learning about USC and will have a virtual tour with Gamecocks this week.
“I’m being a sponge now and absorbing everything from each team,” said Platel. “I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and make my decision out of it. I will definitely make my decision soon, probably next week. “
Coastal Carolina and South Alabama also offered Platel, but their decision appears to rest with the two SEC rivals. Platel played three seasons at Assumption and was the first team at the All-Conference in 2019, his last season in football. He played 33 games for the Greyhounds and recorded 96 tackles with 30 pass separations and 7 interceptions.
The main target of Clemson’s quarterback in 2022, Ty Simpson of Martin, Tennessee, said he would announce his appointment on February 19 at 3 pm. Simpson is focused on Clemson, Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
The defensive four-star tackle Mykel Williams (6-5, 255) from Columbus, Georgia, is expected to commit to college on March 15. He nominated his ten finalists as Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Penn State, State of Arizona, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Kentucky and Southern Cal.
Williams said he is talking to Clemson’s recruiting and defense technician, Lemanski Hall, and recently made a call from Zoom to the team.
“Listening a lot. I have a great relationship with the coaches there, ”said Williams. “Coach Hall was telling me that I would fit in very well, and the place that is there is at my disposal.”
Williams had a dominant season in 2020 with 69 tackles, 19 defeat tackles, 17 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He had 59 tackles and 10 sacks in 2019. He was ranked as the 4th defensive tackle nationally in the 247Sports Composite and the 5th potential in Georgia.
The five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen (6-4, 300) from Cordova, Tennessee, who is rated the number 1 potential defensive tackle in the 2022 class, launched his top 10. Clemson is among his favorites, along with LSU , Alabama, Michigan, Florida, Oregon, Ohio State, Tennessee, Auburn and Southern Cal.
Last season, Nolen added 98 tackles with 30 missing tackles and 8 sacks.
The previous USC team was the first to make an offer to linebacker EJ Lightsey (6-2, 210) from Fitzgerald, Georgia. The new team continues to recruit him.
New defensive coordinator and lineback coach Clayton White was quick to pick up baton from former lineback coach Rod Wilson, and he immediately warned Lightsey that the Gamecocks offer was still good.
“It kind of took me by surprise,” said Lightsey of the change of coach. “It’s crazy because I’m still talking to coach Mike Bobo because I got an offer from Auburn, and he’s in Auburn now. I also like the new team. I am building a relationship with them. “
White, who had 111 tackles with 13 sacks and 11 lost tackles last season, has many other offers to consider now. Among them are Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Boston College, Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, State of Mississippi, State of Arizona, LSU, Florida, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Florida State.
Gamecock’s early involvement with him, and their current pursuit, put them in a good place.
“They are in the top four now,” said Lightsey. “In the first place, they were the first to offer me, the first to reach me and notice me. They are great people and an excellent technical team. That’s what I’m looking for mainly, a good program with great people that make you feel like family, make you feel a priority. “
USC’s new offensive line technician, Greg Adkins, acted quickly to contact potential customers and, in some cases, distribute scholarships. One he aimed for is Leyton Nelson, a 6-6, 272-pound Orlando tackle. Nelson received his offer from Adkins on February 2.
Nelson also has offers from Miami, Arizona, Oregon, Pitt, UCF, Mississippi, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Connecticut, FIU and South Florida. He is not in a hurry in his recruitment process, but from the first impression, he feels that the Gamecocks will be on a par with him.
“They’ll be there on my list,” said Nelson. “I’m liking Pitt right now. The relationship is very good. And the state of Arizona. Those are like two that I really appreciate now. They almost call me at least once a day. “
The new USC team continues to flood the market with offers for the 2022 class and beyond, which is not surprising considering the overall needs of the program. Shane Beamer and defender coach Marcus Satterfield made an offer last week for 2022 defender prospectus Drew Allar (6-5, 230) from Medina, Ohio. Allar moved to 2,962 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. Some of its other offerings are Indiana, Washington, Texas A&M, Michigan, Florida, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Iowa, Iowa and Pitt.
Gamecocks also offered QB Tayven Jackson (6-5, 185) from Greenwood, Indiana. Jackson is classified as a three-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 19 professional quarterback nationally. In his career, Jackson has passed 2,971 yards, 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Last season, he took his team to an unbeaten season and a state championship. Jackson said he also has offers from Texas A&M, Nebraska, Washington state, TCU, Michigan, Oregon, Georgia Tech, Florida state, Arkansas, Oklahoma state, Louisville, Kansas state, Pitt and West Virginia.
The other 2022 QB with a Gamecock offer is Tanner Bailey (6-1, 195) from Gordo, Alabama. Bailey’s offer list includes Alabama, Auburn, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, USF, Maryland, Oregon, Miami, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech.
Bailey is a four-star contender and is ranked as the eighth national-style professional quarterback. He suffered a collarbone injury in the sixth week, but returned for the last four games last season. He finished with 2,444 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. He moved to 2,309 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2019.
Other recent Gamecocks offerings include:
• ATH DeMario Tolan (6-3, 205) from Kissimmee, Florida. Some of its other offerings include Texas A&M, Missouri, State of Mississippi, Ole Miss and LSU.
• CB Andre Stewart (6-0, 169) from Snellville, Georgia. Rated three stars in the 247Sports Composite and ranked 34th nationally. Auburn, Arizona State, Virginia, Indiana and Mississippi State are some other offerings.
• SAF Demari Henderson (6-0, 150) from Sanford, Florida. Miami, Boston College and Louisville are among its other offerings.
• CB Ja’Cari Henderson (6-0, 175) from Sanford, Florida. Louisville, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Miami are some of its other offerings. He and Demari are twins.
• ATH JaCorey Thomas (6-1, 188) from Orlando. It was rated 3 stars at 247Sports Composite and No. 34 rated ATH nationally. Arizona State, Arkansas, Marshall, USF and Colorado State are some other offers.
• WR Ja’Kobi Albert (6-1, 175) from Fairfield, Alabama. Some of its other offerings are Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Michigan, Florida State and Tennessee.
• WR Dane Key (6-2, 170) from Lexington, Ky. He was rated four stars in the 247Sports Composite and ranked 31st nationally. Your father played in Kentucky. He has offers from Oregon, Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Penn State, Kansas, Maryland, West Virginia, Purdue and Michigan State.
• CB Marcus Allen (6-2, 165) from Marietta, Georgia. It also has Auburn, Duke and Florida State among its offerings. Last season he had 60 tackles with 8 deflections and 2 interceptions.
• Four star WR Peter Kikwata (6-1, 170) from Germantown, Md. Some of his other offerings are Penn State, Vanderbilt, Pitt, Kentucky, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Duke, Tennessee, Arkansas, Maryland, West Virginia, Miami, Auburn and Boston College.
• 2023 SAF Kylin Jackson (6-1, 185) from Jackson, La.
• 2024 ATH Jayden Lewis (6-0, 175) from Anniston, Alabama. He also has an offer from the State of Florida.
• 2024 DB Asaad Brown (6-1, 174) from Portsmouth, Va.
Antonio Williams, Dutch wide receiver Fork, was offered by Georgia, Ole Miss, Michigan and Auburn.
Bluffton’s defensive side, DJ Aiken, was offered by Georgia Southern.
Striker Hammond Drew Bobo was offered by Charlotte.
Westside quarterback Peter Zamora committed to Marshall.
Woodland wide receiver Jevon Walker is committed to SC State.