The first results in recruiting defenders for the new South Carolina team have not been positive. Head coach Shane Beamer and new defender coach Marcus Satterfield inherited committed defender Gunner Stockton, but he resigned on January 12 and committed to Georgia.
Two other defenders offered by the Gamecocks – Tanner Bailey of Gordo, Alabama, and Drew Allar of Medina, Ohio – committed last week to Oregon and Penn State, respectively.
It is not surprising that Gamecocks did not hit some initial targets. The quarterbacks are a demanding group and now Beamer and Satterfield don’t have much to show these guys other than concepts.
There are still many big fish in the quarterback sea for 2022, and one Satterfield is in contact with is Tevin Carter (6-3, 205), from Memphis. He is seen as a three-star prospect at 247Sports Composite and is ranked as the No. 22 professional quarterback at the national level. The former Gamecock team offered it to Carter in February 2018 and he camped with the Gamecock that summer. He said that he and Satterfield have been communicating via text recently.
“He is just saying that they will continue to know me and that they have been watching my film,” said Carter. “They really talk about my arm strength and how I read defenses quickly and my playing skills. I can throw it at 70 (yards). “
Carter also reported offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Maryland, Syracuse, Marshall and Ole Miss.
Carter said he will attend a summer camp in West Virginia and hopes to do the same at USC.
“I’m going to do the same thing with South Carolina,” said Carter. “I’m also going to their camp this summer, so that the team can see me play live too.”
Carter is not claiming favorites right now. He is looking for a place that will prepare him well for the future, whether in football or business. “A school that will prepare me better for the league,” said Carter. “A school that will get me ready for the world after college. I’m talking about a good education that will put me in a good job after college. “
Carter plans to make a decision in September. He will sign in December and graduate early.
USC’s new offensive line coach, Greg Adkins, is making a move for the three-star offensive tackle Grayson Mains (6-5, 265) from Suwanee, Georgia. Adkins offered Mains in February.
“So far it is moving in a big direction,” said Mains. “I am building a great relationship with the coach of the offensive line and it is getting stronger from the beginning. He looks like a very smart man. He likes everything about my game. I am very excited to create a great relationship. “
Mains did not visit the USC, but it will happen. In the meantime, he is communicating regularly with Adkins and is receiving a positive vibe about the new direction of the Gamecock program.
“They made a great first impression,” said Mains. “I feel that we are going to be able to build a great relationship. I see the program going well with the new team. “
Along with the Gamecocks, Mains said that the state of Michigan and the state of Arizona are making a big move for him. He also just received an offer from Tennessee. Other offerings include Air Force, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Purdue, UCF, Liberty, Duke, West Virginia, UAB and East Carolina.
Clemson has had great success in recent years bringing the country’s top defensive tips. Xavier Thomas, KJ Henry, Justin Mascoll, Myles Murphy, Zaire Patterson and Cade Denhoff were all highly rated and heavily recruited before signing with the Tigers.
In the 2022 recruiting class, one that stands out is Jihaad Campbell (6-4, 220), a New Jersey native now at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Campbell recently reduced his list to one of the top eight in Clemson, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Texas A&M, Georgia, Oklahoma and Rutgers.
He said Clemson made his short list because of what he learned about the defense and the program from Brent Venables and Lemanski Hall.
“Just me fitting into their scheme of how they play and operate things on their program,” said Campbell. “Just the whole culture, how they greet their players and develop them to the next level.”
Campbell added that the recruiting work of Clemson’s coaches put the Tigers in a good place with him. “Clemson is very tall there,” said Campbell. “I’m looking for a program where I can be more successful. I am also looking for who can really develop me and who is really real with me instead of sweetening things up. And having a great relationship with the coaches is important for me too, especially during this period ”.
Campbell plans to make his decision ahead of his senior season. He is classified as a three-star potential customer at 247Sports Composite and is ranked as the 20th national defensive winger in the category. According to MaxPreps, in six games last season, Campbell recorded 45 tackles with 7 sacks. He also took 15 passes for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Clemson’s target, ATH Malaki Starks, of Jefferson, Georgia, set his appointment announcement for March 25. Clemson, Alabama and Georgia are the three finalists.
USC is in the top 10 for cornerback Keenan Nelson, from Philadelphia. The others are Notre Dame, Pitt, Maryland, Wisconsin, Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Rutgers.
USC was in the top 10 with offensive tackle Jacob Allen (6-6, 270) from Princeton, NJ. The others on his list are Boston College, Rutgers, Pitt, Virginia, Miami, Michigan State, Penn State, Duke and Florida.
USC QB target Tayven Jackson of Greenwood, Indiana, did not include Gamecocks in his first nine. They are Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Auburn, UCLA, State of Florida, State of Washington, State of Arizona, Arkansas and Tennessee.
Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna of Fayetteville, Arkansas, who had USC in his top 10, committed to Texas A&M.
USC and Clemson seek cornerback Alfonzo Allen from Hallandale, Florida, committed to the state of Arizona.
Running back Emmanuel Henderson of Hartford, Alabama, who had Clemson and USC in his 10 finalists, committed to Alabama.
Hammond’s running back, CJ Stokes, made a virtual visit to Notre Dame and a call from Zoom to Vanderbilt last week.
Lower Richland linebacker Mark Davis bet on Limestone.