South Carolina Football: Gamecocks sign 4-star in-state offensive lineman

The Early Signing Period for college football began on Wednesday, and National Letters of Intent have been flying in from all over the country. While most of those NLIs are not sent in via fax machine anymore, commitments are not official until paperwork is completed. The South Carolina football program is hoping to have most of their class secured by the end of the Early Signing Period.

One of the players in the class who made things official is 4-star offensive lineman Blake Franks.

Position: OL
Recruiting Ranking: 4 stars (Rivals), 3 stars (On3, 247Sports, ESPN); Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
Measurables: 6'5"; 325 pounds; 335-pound bench press; 475-pound squat
Former (Current) Player Comp: Trovon Baugh

Despite being rated as a 3-star by three of the four major recruiting outlets, Blake Franks committed to the Gamecocks over big-time offers from programs like Clemson, Alabama, and Auburn.

During his career at Greenville High School, Franks played both guard and tackle, but his collegiate future is probably inside.

He is a hard worker who, with the right commitment to the weight room and nutrition program, will become one of the strongest players on the team. A thick lower half will only get stronger, and Franks could develop into a big-time run blocker. His experience as a part-time tackle should aid him in his pass blocking growth, as well.

Franks is very similar physically to class of 2023 freshman Trovon Baugh who was just named to the PFF Freshman All-American squad as the Gamecocks' starting right guard. Both players played guard and tackle in high school and excelled as run blockers. Franks has long arms like Baugh, too.

When Blake Franks makes his way to Columbia, he will join a South Carolina football offensive line room that is loading up on young talent. The "Great Wall of Columbia" is being built with strong bricks, and, though he probably isn't a "play early" candidate, Franks is good enough to put himself into a prominent position long-term if things go well for him.

You can watch some of his film here.