What to expect from South Carolina football on NSD.
Believe it or not, the second round of Signing Day will begin tomorrow, as high school football players choose their destinations for the next three to four years. Originally a highly televised media event, the February signing period has lost some of its shine with the addition of the early signing date. The majority of high schoolers now sign in December, with many having the opportunity to enroll early and get a head start at their respective campuses.
South Carolina signed nine players in the early period, as well as a number of transfers over the offseason. Still, the Gamecocks appear to have five slots available, two of which are expected to be filled by current commits. The final three spots should come down to a handful of players, so let’s take a quick look at players that could fill those remaining openings.
Current commits
Two players are currently committed to the class, and are expected to officially join the roster tomorrow morning.
TJ Sanders
Sanders is one of the top players in the Palmetto State, and holds a three-star rating from both Rivals and 247 Sports. Rivals ranks the defensive tackle as the seventh best prospect in South Carolina, and he should provide solid depth along the front four.
Kolbe Fields
Fields is a three-star linebacker from the state of Louisiana. He holds offers from Houston, Memphis, Oklahoma State, and Purdue, but opted to commit to the Gamecocks last month. The Gamecocks are very thin at the position, and Fields is expected to provide immediate help.
Final additions
There are also a handful of players that have the Gamecocks in their final group. South Carolina has room for three more, should the above players sign.
Juwan Gaston
Gaston is a defensive back from Alabama, who has the Gamecocks on his short list, along with Auburn and South Alabama. The race is expected to come down to Auburn and South Carolina, but landing Gaston would present Shane Beamer with a major prospect at a position of need. 247 Sports rates him as a four-star player and the 30th best safety in the country.
La’Dareyen Craig
Craig is also a defender from the Yellowhammer State, and could join the secondary with Gaston should they both pull the trigger on the Gamecocks tomorrow. The 6-foot-2 corner broke up nine passes and hauled in three interceptions last season. He is expected to pick between South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Oregon State.
Tavareon Martin-Scott
Martin-Scott is a JUCO linebacker from Dodge City (KS), where he’s still gearing up for a 2021 spring season. His final list includes Mississippi State and West Virginia, along with the Gamecocks. He’s rated by Rivals as a four-star prospect, and would provide immediate help at the linebacker position.
Jimmori Robinson
Robinson was a former Texas-San Antonio commit who’s now reopened his recruitment. He’s hearing from Florida State, Auburn, and Jackson State, too, but the Gamecocks seem to be in good position. The New York product is ranked as a top 20 junior college prospect, as well as the third best JUCO defensive end in the nation.
Long shot
Trevin Wallace
Wallace has been a target for the Gamecocks, but it seems that the four-star prospect is leaning towards SEC rival Kentucky. 247 Sports ranks him as a top 40 player in the nation, and the second best inside linebacker. The Georgia native also has Auburn and Ole Miss on his short list, but a surprise commitment to the Gamecocks would be huge.