South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his staff picked up a commitment on Wednesday. Preferred walk-on offensive lineman/long snapper Jake Recker from Indian Land High School is joining the program as part of the class of 2024. He announced his pledge on his personal Twitter/X page.
#AGTG 1000% COMMITTED @ILHS_Sports @Indian_Land_FB @hastings_coach @CoachMata @CoachTeasley @CoachSBeamer @jrudIV @GamecockFB #theland #gamecocks pic.twitter.com/qa8nTI74OK
— Jacob “Jake” Recker (@jake_recker) February 8, 2024
Recker is a big-bodied kid (6'5" and 300 pounds) who plays with physicality. While most of his snaps on film came at left tackle, he got some snaps at all five positions on the offensive line. He also was a long snapper for his Warriors team.
As an offensive lineman, Recker plays with a strong base, something that helps him generate push in the run game and set an anchor as a pass protector. He is not overly athletic, but as a high school basketball player, he is light enough of his feet to get where he needs to be. He has a knack for getting his hands engaged with defenders (even from awkward angles) without holding.
Recker lives up to his last name when he gets his paws on smaller players at the 2nd and 3rd level, often finishing those blocks laying over the top of the "recked" defender.
As a special teamer, Recker handled snapping duties on both punts and field goals in high school, and he had some impressive zip on his field goal snaps. No team can ever have too many players capable of snapping, some having Recker on the roster adds some needed injury security for new special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.
A North-South Game participant, Recker played alongside fellow South Carolina football walk-ons CJ Dixon (defensive tackle, South Pointe) and Isaiah McClary (defensive back, Irmo). McClary was the Defensive MVP of the game.
Jake Recker picked the Gamecocks despite scholarship offers from Charlotte and The Citadel.
You can watch some of his film here.