South Carolina Football: Gamecock commitments turning heads after Week 1 performances
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina football has 15 commitments so far in the class of 2024. Several of these Gamecock pledges made big impacts on the field as their high school teams began their quests for 2023 state championships over the weekend.
4-star wide receiver Mazeo Bennett had two long touchdown catches in Greenville High School’s win over Dorman High. The first was an impressive catch-and-run after a screen pass in which he made most of the Dorman defense look silly after a key block from fellow Carolina commitment Blake Franks. The second was a long go route in which he used his speed to get behind the defense and put the game out of reach.
The Amazing Mazeo. Here are both touchdowns by Mazeo Bennett in Greenville's win against Dorman. The first was a nifty run on a screen and the second sealed the victory. Bennett will play next season at South Carolina. @TheMazeoBennett @GHS_Raiders pic.twitter.com/bDnhEMdpzM
— Todd Shanesy (@ToddShanesySHJ) August 19, 2023
4-star linebacker/EDGE Wendell Gregory of Walton High School opened his season in Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a victory over Grayson High School. Gregory was a star, finishing the game with 1.5 sacks, 2.5 more tackles for loss, and another big hit on the quarterback. He also showed some versatility, lining up both at a traditional outside linebacker spot and as a true EDGE rusher (both with his hand in the dirt and standing up).
Wendell Gregory from Walton looks like a different player this year. Good get for South Carolina.
— GHSA Bracket Challenge (@BracketGhsa) August 20, 2023
4-star Gamecock running back commitment Matthew Fuller exploded in Wayne County’s blowout victory against the Bradwell Institute. Fuller rushed for over 250 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a long 73-yard score. Perhaps most impressively, Fuller racked up those totals without really playing in the 4th quarter as Wayne County was up by three scores.
First game of the year 2024 RB commit Matthew Fuller had at least 190 rushing yards and 3 TDs. There was a 73 yard rushing TD that wasn’t named. Could have been Matthew. If so 263 yards 4 TDs. In 4A Georgia ball. Insanity. Gamecocks are getting a highly underrated player
— BRANDON (@wattsicle1_1) August 20, 2023
Gamecock commitments Michael Smith (4-star tight end at Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia) and David Bucey (3-star safety/linebacker at Savannah Christian Prep in Savannah, Georgia) scored touchdowns in their games, as well.
With how talented the Gamecocks’ class is (the 10th-best class nationally in terms of average player rating according to On3’s rankings), this will not be the last collection of big performances from the South Carolina football commitments this fall.