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 running back Matthew Fuller.
Welcome home, @matt27284681! pic.twitter.com/HclRVXSl4m
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) December 20, 2023
Position: RB
Recruiting Ranking: 4 stars (On3, ESPN), 3 star (247Sports, Rivals)
Measurables: 6'0"; 210 pounds; 4.5-second 40-yard dash; 4.3-second short shuttle; 35" vertical; 325-pound bench press; 475-pound squat
Former Player Comp: Brandon Wilds
Matthew Fuller was extremely underrated when the Gamecocks picked up his commitment this summer. The Wayne County running back has been a big riser in the recruiting rankings since that time, and he is now a 4-star prospect according to multiple outlets.
Fuller possesses good speed (4.5-second 40-yard dash) and good size (210 pounds), and he is a hard-nosed runner. He can run through tacklers and away from them. For much of the high school season this year, he led the entire state of Georgia in rushing yards. He tallied just under 2000 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns in just 11 games this year
As a player, Fuller is a lot like former Gamecock Brandon Wilds. Wilds played a little bit early as the Gamecock running back room faced major injuries (most notably to Marcus Lattimore), but he developed into his best self after a few years. Wilds was a really good straight-line runner who was strong and a fighter through contact, and Fuller has shown those same tendencies at the high school level.
Fuller likely will be a developmental back for the Gamecocks. With veterans Rocket Sanders and Oscar Adaway expecting to be the top backs and sophomores Djay Braswell and Jawarn Howell also on the roster, there won't be any pressure on him to contribute early, though his physical style could make it possible if the team needs him.
You can watch some of his film here.