![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/733ffd9605fe1a886244c2915c561888c221e0182adbeb9c1da167492e738d3a.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 ATH Kamron Sandlin, who signed with South Carolina during the Early Signing Period.
Position: ATH (QB/WR/TE)
Recruiting Ranking: Consensus 3 Stars
Measurables: 6’3”; 220 pounds
Former Player Comp: Kiel Pollard
A high school quarterback, Kamron Sandlin will transition from being a pass thrower to being a pass catcher at the next level. Bigger than many receivers, Sandlin may see his future be as a receiving tight end.
Without much film of Sandlin playing any position other than quarterback, all analysis of him is based on projection. Sandlin is a good athlete who operates smoothly in traffic as a ball carrier. He also displays a willingness to run with physicality, as he typically opts to run through would-be tacklers instead of running around them.
In thinking of a comparison to Sandlin, former thick-bodied receiving tight end Kiel Pollard stands out. Pollard endeared himself to Gamecock fans with his toughness and his career-best performance against rival Clemson in 2018. Pollard occasionally carried the ball after touch passes or lined up at fullback as a blocker, two things Sandlin could do with some development. After retiring due to injury, Pollard used his intelligence and football IQ as he coached with the Gamecocks as an analyst before moving on to be a position coach elsewhere. Based on Sandlin’s high school coach, Sandlin’s intangibles match someone like Pollard.
Sandlin’s future at South Carolina will be interesting to monitor because of the sheer number of possible outcomes. Sandlin will almost assuredly play tight end. He could play h-back if he develops as a blocker. He could play wide receiver as a difficult strength matchup with defensive backs. He could use his size as an advantage if asked to carry the ball in short yardage situations. He could play wildcat quarterback. He could be an offensive gadget with his abilities as a runner and thrower. He could even play a versatile role on special teams, as he was his high school’s kicker and punter.
If things go well for him, Kamron Sandlin may inspire the creation of a new position: “weapon.”