The latest South Carolina Gamecocks news from a loaded week around Columbia, starting with some notes from the Garnet and Black Spring Game.
Team Garnet won the game 17-0, but that isn't really all that important.
One of the main takeaways from the spring game is that LaNorris Sellers looks the part. #16 appeared poised and prepared; he never looked rattled despite some less-than-stellar offensive line play in front of him. Sellers scrambled well (both for running lanes and to generate more time as a passer), and he was accurate throwing the football.
Other offensive players who stood out were running backs Oscar Adaway, Jawarn Howell, and Djay Braswell (they all looked better than their numbers would indicate as they overcame poor blocking) and receivers Mazeo Bennett and Tyshawn Russell. Offensive linemen Vershon Lee, Torricelli Simpkins, Kamaar Bell, and Josiah Thompson were solid. The offense intentionally did not showcase much in the game.
On defense, players like Dylan Stewart, Vicari Swain, Monkell Goodwine, Tonka Hemingway, and all of the veteran linebackers (Bangally Kamara, Demetrius Knight, Bam Martin-Scott, and Debo Williams) had good showings. Stewart was dominant. Swain played for a banged-up Judge Collier and looked good, perhaps showing that a position battle is incoming.
In addition to the players who could not play due to various injuries, offensive lineman Markee Anderson sat out after hurting himself during warm-ups. TJ Sanders also left the game with what looked like an ankle issue.
The Gamecocks made some major recruiting noise in the last seven days.
Top-100 national prospect and 4-star defensive back Shamari Earls committed to the Gamecocks.
Fellow Virginia native and 4-star defensive lineman Caleb Williams also committed to the Gamecocks.
4-star safety Kendall Daniels, Jr. announced his top-4 (Gamecocks included) and a commitment date, but he did not go through with his announcement.
5-star offensive tackle David Sanders was one of many visitors for the spring game, and he had a good visit.
4-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng put Carolina in his top-13.
3-star linebacker Justin Rowe put the Gamecocks in his top-3.
4-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery chose the Georgia Bulldogs.
There was some Gamecock-related transfer portal news, as well.
Former UCLA and Southern Cal receiver Kyle Ford announced his top-5 schools, and South Carolina was on his list.
Nyck Harbor had a good weekend with South Carolina Track and Field.
The big receiver posted personal-best times in the 100-meter (10.12) and 200-meter (20.38). In the 200-meter, he was the fasest collegiate athlete at this weekend's meet and only trailed the world record-holder. His 100-meter time is one of the ten-best times from any runner all season.
A Gamecock freshman won an in-state award.
5-star freshman offensive lineman Josiah Thompson was named the Bridge Builder Excellence Award winner, combining excellence on the field and off of it.
Basketball recruiting was a major storyline this week, as well.
Elite in-state prospect Cam Scott officially announced a commitment to the South Carolina basketball program after being released from his NLI to the Texas Longhorns.
The transfer portal has been heating up around Columbia.
Gamecock big man Josh Gray entered the portal over the weekend, indicating he will play his final year of eligibility at another program. That left USC with three available scholarships.
The scholarship openings dropped to two very quickly as South Carolina native and former Missouri Tiger Jordan Butler (a 7'0" big who was a part-time starter for Mizzou this season as a freshman) committed to his home state program.
Former Alabama Crimson Tide big man Nick Pringle entered the portal and is expected to visit Columbia.
Mount St. Mary's guard transfer Dakota Leffew took his official visit to see the Gamecock program. He has another visit to Georgia remaining before making his decision.
La Salle transfer point guard Jhamir Brickus is also planning a visit to see the Gamecocks.
Former Tulane point guard Kolby King announced a top-5, and South Carolina basketball made the cut.
An incoming Gamecock represented well for Dawn Staley's team.
Joyce Edwards won yet another all-star game MVP as she was chosen as the top player at the Jordan Classic over the weekend.
South Carolina basketball legend A'ja Wilson was honored in a new way last week.
Wilson made the annual Time Magazine "100 Most Influential People" list.
A major USC target for next year won a player of the year honor.
Guard Aaliyah Chavez was picked as the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year. She has offers from just about every program in the country and is considering the Gamecocks.
South Carolina baseball lost another SEC series.
For the fourth time in six tries this season, the Gamecocks dropped an SEC series, falling in 2 of 3 games to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Arkansas came into the series ranked #2 in the nation.
South Carolina softball only played over the weekend but also lost their series.
Bev Smith's team dropped 2 of 3 to a good Florida Gators team on the road.