South Carolina football: 7 unheralded recruits that will impact Gamecocks
By Jacob Elsey
Which unheralded recruits will make huge ’21 impacts?
Recruiting season is in full swing with the first round of on-campus visits taking place this month. The Gamecocks have some high profile talent making their rounds in Columbia, as they look to continue to build the roster in their first season under Shane Beamer.
While it’s always great to secure commitments from the five-star athletes like Zacch Pickens and Jordan Burch, there are always a few unexpected contributors that were overlooked in the recruiting process. These ‘diamonds in the rough’ can make huge impacts on the outcomes of the season, and the Gamecocks are very familiar with these under the radar type prospects.
Former South Carolina alum that came to Columbia with little recruiting buzz include Eric Norwood, Captain Munnerlyn, Brandon Wilds , and Connor Shaw. While the big boys opted not to take chances on these prospects as recruits, the ultimate benefit came to the Gamecocks.
Which members of the 2021 roster can provide the same spark? Below are five players that were unknown throughout the recruiting process but will become major contributors for the Gamecocks next season.
The Gamecocks, and the rest of the SEC, are now very familiar with Harris after the stud runner won the SEC’s regular season rushing crown. As a sophomore, the Georgia native led South Carolina’s offense with 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. But that breakout season wasn’t one that most followers expected upon his arrival in Columbia.
Harris came to South Carolina as a three-star recruit. The Gamecocks were his only Power Five scholarship offer, with his most notable offers coming from the military academies, Ivy League schools, and a few FCS programs that still install the triple-option.
When he got to campus, most believed he’d be lightly used reserve, with many fans expecting five-star freshman MarShawn Lloyd to jump him on the depth chart. Harris proved the doubters wrong, though, and he should again be a focal point for the Gamecock offense in 2021.