South Carolina Football: Gamecock legacy prospect set to visit this summer

For South Carolina football fans who remember the early days of the Steve Spurrier era in Columbia, there are several names that stand out. Sidney Rice and Kenny McKinley were two of the greatest wideouts to ever play under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium, Eric Norwood was an all-time great pass rusher despite being “too small,” and Syvelle Newton seemed like he was capable of just about anything on the field.

Another name that resonates throughout Gamecock Nation from that period of South Carolina football is Jasper Brinkley. Big #52 was a freak at middle linebacker. As big as many defensive linemen, Brinkley ran one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the NFL Combine (after tearing his ACL), and he used his size and speed to be a menace to opposing offenses while playing for the Head Ball Coach. Brinkley made two All-SEC teams in his two full seasons in garnet and black and is regarded as one of the best ‘backers to ever don the block C on his helmet.

In news that surely will make many Gamecocks feel old, Brinkley’s son is setting a recruiting visit to the University of South Carolina. Dakyus (Dak) Brinkley is a class of 2024 linebacker/EDGE player who is now a consensus 4-star prospect. Looking almost exactly like a thinner version of his father, Dak attends Katy High School in Katy, Texas and has said that he will be heading to Columbia for a camp visit sometime this summer. He also has visits set with Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas with the Jayhawks trip being his only official visit scheduled.

Brinkley has primarily operated as an EDGE rusher for most of his high school career but has played some as a traditional linebacker like his pops. It is unclear which schools lead for Brinkley as he has called his recruitment “100% open” on his personal Twitter account and has taken his time up to this point in the process. He holds offers from 20 programs and will add more as his recruitment progresses.