The first results in recruiting defenders for the new USC team have not been positive.
Coach Shane Beamer and new defensive coach Marcus Satterfield inherited committed defender Gunner Stockton, but he retired on January 12 and committed to Georgia. Two other defenders they offered, Tanner Bailey of Gordo, Alabama, and Drew Allar of Medina, Ohio, committed last week to Oregon and Penn State, respectively.
It is no surprise that Gamecocks have missed some initial targets. Quarterbacks are a demanding group, and now Beamer and Satterfield don’t have much to show these guys other than concepts.
There are still a lot of big fish in the quarterback sea for 2022, and one Satterfield is in contact with is Tevin Carter (1.8 m, 205 pounds), from Memphis, Tennessee. He is seen as a three-star prospect at 247Sports Composite and is ranked as the number 22 professional-style quarterback nationally.
The former Gamecocks team offered it to Carter in February 2018, and he camped with the Gamecocks that summer. He said he and Satterfield have been communicating via text message since he boarded Columbia.
“He’s just saying that they will continue to know me and that they are watching my movie,” 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, ULM, Marshall and Ole Miss. He said he will play for West Virginia coaches at summer camp, if those are allowed. And it wouldn’t be his only summer stop.
“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 plans to make a decision in September. He said he will sign in December and graduate early. Going into last season, Carter threw 2,204 yards with 29 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 18 games, according to MaxPreps statistics. He played only two games in 2019 due to injuries.
USC gains ground with Georgia tackle
USC’s new offensive line coach, Greg Adkins, is making a move for the three-star tackle Grayson Mains (6-5, 265) from Suwanee, Georgia.
Adkins offered Mains in February, not seen, of course. He liked what he saw in the film enough to make a move for Mains, and he has the Gamecocks in a position of strong consideration.
“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 has not visited USC in person or virtually, but it will come. In the meantime, he is communicating regularly with Adkins and receiving a positive vibe about the program’s new direction.
“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 states of Michigan and Arizona are making a big move for him. He also recently received an offer from Tennessee and also from the Air Force, Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Purdue, UCF, Liberty, Duke, West Virginia, UAB and East Carolina.
Mains is not rushing the process and wants to see how things go with the various teams before deciding who are the favorites.
“The relationships I have with the coaches will have a big impact,” said Mains. “I feel that the summer will be huge with visits, meeting coaches and talking to them in person for the first time. I feel like I want to know my decision by the end of next season. “
Mains is not going to graduate anytime soon.
Recruitment briefs
►USC is among 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 placed in the top 10 with offensive tackle Jacob Allen (6-6, 270) from Princeton, New Jersey. The others on his list are Boston College, Rutgers, Pitt, Virginia, Miami, Michigan State, Penn State, Duke and Florida.
► USC is among the top 12 with a 4-star defensive tackle Nick James from IMG Academy. The others are Oregon, Ohio, Alabama, Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Penn State, Arizona, Florida, Texas A&M, UCF and Georgia.
► Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna if Fayetteville, Arkansas, who had USC in his top 10, committed to Texas A&M.
► Cornerback Alfonzo Allen Hallandale, Florida, which the USC was recruiting, has committed to the State of Arizona.
► Emmanuel Henderson of Hartford, Alabama, who had USC in his 10 finalists, committed to Alabama.
► Wide receiver Amarion Brown of Stuart, Florida, committed to Rutgers. The previous USC team made its first offer a year ago.