| USA TODAY Sports Network Special – South Carolina
The NCAA Transfer Portal was kind to new USC coach Shane Beamer. And why shouldn’t I?
Guys looking for a second chance at another Power 5 program, or guys looking to quit a lower-level school, can look for a new team at USC and see an open opportunity to play on the SEC. And Beamer can use the portal to meet the immediate needs of the team.
Of the newcomers in the 2021 class, seven are transfers from another program or from a junior college.
At the end of last week, Sumter’s defensive tackle Jahkeem Green (6ft-5, 310lbs), who was transferred to Nebraska, confirmed that he was joining Gamecocks after being admitted to school.
Green committed to USC as a senior student at Sumter High School. He then spent two seasons at Highlands (Kan.) Junior College and two seasons in Nebraska. Green played in five games this short season with the Cornhuskers and recorded three tackles. He played in three games in 2019 and used that season as a redshirt year.
In Highlands, Green totaled 116 tackles in his two seasons and was considered one of the best junior defense players in the country in 2018. Green will count for the 2021 class of Gamecocks, increasing the number of vacancies in the class to 20.
Greer Receiver Skinner Updates at USC, Clemson
Greer High wide receiver Jaleel Skinner (6-5, 200) would identify his short list of schools last week. But after consulting his family and hearing about several new programs, Skinner decided to postpone. He said he wants to get a little better reading on the academic side with some programs. He also wants to make sure he has the right schools that have the right position status for him in mind.
“I wanted to wait a little longer to look more closely and build more relationships with these coaches,” said Skinner. “I would like to make a decision before the football season. But I have no problem waiting a little longer. “
USC and Clemson are among Skinner’s offerings. The Gamecocks were on him during the Will Muschamp administration. New coach Shane Beamer and new receiver coach Justin Stepp will resume recruiting for Gamecocks.
“I want to build a relationship with them even more,” said Skinner. “I see that Coach Stepp from Arkansas was hired. He recruited me in Arkansas. I feel that it is a great addition to Gamecocks. I haven’t heard of him, but I really hope to hear from him soon. “
Clemson has also been a constant, with tight end coach Danny Pearman plotting the campaign for Skinner before moving on to his new role, presumably an off-scout position.
“I’ve heard a little from Coach Pearman,” said Skinner. “He is saying that there is no better place than home. Clemson is on the right track. “
A key recruitment point for Skinner is his position on the line. He sees himself mainly as a wide receiver, but he knows that some schools consider him a tight end. Okay, too, but he doesn’t want his reception skills to be sacrificed by the block. He agrees with what Pearman said to him.
“They are telling me that if I get there, I would be more of a flexible type,” said Skinner. “I’m going to play a little further. Like a Kyle Pitts. Pitts, from Florida, won the John Mackey award, given to college football’s most notable tight end, last season after making 43 receptions for 770 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Along with USC and Clemson, Skinner cited the programs in Miami, Florida, the State of Florida, Virginia Tech and Tennessee, making a strong showing with him.
USC offers San Francisco duo
USC last week offered transfers from Saint Francis (Pa.) University quarterback Jason Brown (6-4 230) and wide receiver EJ Jenkins (6-8, 235). The two put their names on the NCAA Transfer Portal last week after the spring season was canceled.
The new USC coaches got in touch quickly on Tuesday. They followed up on Wednesday with another Zoom meeting and shared the good news with longtime friends.
“They said we both have offers,” said Brown. “They just have to put us in there. Admissions take about five days to get the percentage and hours of classes and things like that. We will be ready to commit as soon as everything is finished. We will have to be registered on March 1st. “
Brown became a regular at Saint Francis in 2019 and received an honorable mention from FCS All American honors. He led the Northeast Conference on passes and set school season pass records with 3,084 yards and 28 touchdowns. He completed 62% of his attempts with just six interceptions.
Jenkins was the second All-NEC team in 2019 and defined the school with 13 touchdown catches. He had 39 receptions for 779 yards.
NC linebacker likes Tigers
Jalon Walker (6-2, 220), a linebacker from Salisbury, North Carolina, is a leading candidate for his position in the country in the class of 2022. He limited his decision to Clemson, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio , Alabama and Auburn and could be just a few weeks from a final decision.
Walker had a chance to visit Clemson in March, before the dead period was imposed. From there, he and the defensive and technical coordinator of the linebackers, Brent Venables, began a close relationship, he said.
“Coach Venables has been my main person with whom I have spoken. They said I have the right key to be part of their program, ”said Walker.
Walker has attended Clemson’s football camps for the past three years, so he was able to show his talents directly in front of the man who would coach him at Clemson.
“He saw how I developed and he can see that I am very trainable and very hardworking,” said Walker. “In defense, he can see me filling that vacancy as a hybrid linebacker. My field strengths are probably my speed and being able to cover in space. Whatever the school, Jalon Walker will receive the most dedicated person to make the program and the university excellent. “
Walker’s relationship with Venables can be the deciding factor when he sits down to choose a college.
“Relationships are very important to me,” said Walker. “Great relationships and a program that will help my future after football.”
Walker, whose father, Curtis Walker, is the football coach of NCAA Division II Catawba College, is classified as a four-star contender and ranked as the country’s fourth linebacker and 4th in North Carolina for Class. 2022 according to 247Sports Composite.
Gray of the large USC in Hallandale
New USC secondary coach Torian Gray last week offered scholarships to four Class 2022 security guards from Hallandale, Florida: Jaylin Marshall (6-3 190), Anthony Rose (6-4 180), Alfonzo Allen (6-0 175) and Edric Weldon (6-5 210).
Marshall is classified as a four-star prospect and is ranked number 18 in national security on 247Sports Composite. Allen is a potential customer with four stars and ranked 12th in class security nationally. He also has an offer from Clemson. Rose and Weldon have not been evaluated.
Charlotte QB will walk at USC
USC is receiving another quarterback for the 2021 list. Jake Helfrich (5-11, 190), of the Providence Day School in Charlotte, tweeted that he accepted a favorite offer from the Gamecocks. Brown and Helfrich would join a quarterback room that has only two stock market players, Luke Doty and Colten Gauthier.
Last season, Helfrich went through 1,418 yards and 13 touchdowns. He completed 106 of 192 passes.