![South Carolina football fans. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4852fe1080cc69f4d6fd8f765b97ab9a83fe3e92632b4c5761a684fc88a60178.jpg "South Carolina football fans. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
The South Carolina football program has put together one of their top recruiting classes in recent years for the 2023 recruiting cycle. While the recruiting rankings are ever-changing, according to industry leaders
and
, Shane Beamer and company have found themselves firmly inside the top-20 since the Early Signing Period ended.
One of the players in this class is TE Reid Mikeska, who signed with South Carolina during the Early Signing Period.
Position: TE
Recruiting Ranking: Consensus 3 Stars
Measurables: 6’6”; 235 pounds; 4.65 second 40-yard dash; 295 pounds bench press; 400 pounds squat
Former Player Comp: Jerell Adams
Reid Mikeska is a big, athletic tight end with an impressive offer list that includes the majority of the country’s best programs. Mikeska is well put together physically, and he shows considerable skills for a player his size.
Mikeska is a receiving tight end above all else. He runs smoothly and is athletic enough to be a problem for opposing defenses. With his size (6’6” and 235 pounds), smaller defensive backs don’t stand a chance defending Mikeska, and the majority of bigger safeties and linebackers will have trouble matching both that size and his impressive speed (4.65 40-yard dash). While he has work to do in the blocking department, he is eager to clear paths for backs in the run game, and he has a frame that can put on more strength as he develops.
Perhaps most impressively about Mikeska is his fluidity with the ball in his hands. Despite being one of the bigger players on his high school team, the Cypress, Texas product is a weapon after the catch. With enough speed to run past many defenders and the physical mindset to run over others, bringing Mikeska down in the open field is a less than enviable task for a defensive player.
Mikeska is similar to former Gamecock tight end Jerell Adams. Both players were undervalued by the recruiting industry but had NFL potential. Mikeska, like Adams, was not an overly impressive high school blocker, but he showed a willingness to put himself in the middle of the fray and drive his feet to create running lanes. With additional physical development with Strength Coach Luke Day, Mikeska should become an adequate blocker just as Adams did during his time on campus in Columbia.
The tight end position faced an unusual level of attrition this offseason, as Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner both left in the transfer portal, Traevon Kenion retired from football, and Nate Adkins graduated. This opens up opportunities for newcomers to earn playing time, but incoming freshman Mikeska and fellow 2023 signee Connor Cox will not be pressed into immediate duty if they are not ready as the Gamecocks have brought in three transfer portal tight ends (Trey Knox from Arkansas, Nick Elksnis from Florida, and Joshua Simon from Western Kentucky).
The Gamecock staff seems to be extremely high on Reid Mikeska, and if he can live up to their expectations for him, Gamecock fans will have another tight end to root for on Sundays after his time representing the University of South Carolina.