Recruiting breakdown for Tigers and Gamecocks, and a peak at 2012
Signing day, and the long awaited Jadeveon Clowney announcement, has finally arrived and it officially ends this signing period...finally.
South Carolina
The Gamecocks signed a monster-sized class, with 32 players in all. Clowney is the gem of this class, with some solid players joining him.
On offense, the Gamecocks signed New Jersey QB Tanner McEvoy, along with RBs Brandon Wilds of Blythewood and Shon Carson of Lake City. Joining them are a trio of WRs: Jersey speedster Damiere Byrd, possession receiver K.J. Brent, and Shameir Jeffrey, the younger brother of current Gamecock Alshon Jeffrey.
Tight end was an area of need, and Carolina signed three: Rory Anderson, Jerrell Adams and Drew Owens.
Six players make up the offensive line class. Junior-College transfer Kaleb Broome, who projects as a tackle, is joined by tackles Brandon Shell, Mike Matulis and Will Sport, and guards Kyle Harris and Quincy McKinney.
But the defensive side of the ball was a major area for the Gamecocks, and they did well.
On the line, Carolina signed brothers Gerald Dixon, and end, of South Point and Gerald Dixon Jr., a tackle, of Northwestern, along with tackles Phillip Dukes, Kelcy Quarles and Deon Green.
Linebacker was another area of concern, and the Gamecocks filled that need as well. Angelo Watley, Mason Harris, Cedrick Cooper, Edward Muldrow and Marcquis Roberts make up a class of guys that could grow into linebackers, safeties, or defensive ends.
The backfield was lacking depth last year, especially at safety. Carolina signed a third player from New Jersey in safety Sheldon Royster, along with Georgia native Kadtrix Marcus, Brison Williams, and corners Ahmad Christian, Ronnie Martin and Martay Mattox.
Overall, Carolina did a good job filling their needs with quality guys they can redshirt and build around. A few from this class may play right away, but with a majority of their team returning, expect most of this class to redshirt.
I expect one of the TEs signed to play this year, and possible one of the new safeties. But outside of those guys, and Clowney (and maybe Dukes and Byrd) it will be hard for these guys to crack meaningful playingtime with so many 2-deep players returning).
Link: USC Signing-Day page
Clemson
The Tigers closed their 2011 class very strong. Getting to late commitments from linebackers Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony, as well as mammoth offensive linemen Spencer Region, topped off a top-heavy group.
The other two big commitments for the class were speedy RB Mike Bellamy and WR Sammy Watkins, both out of Florida.
The rest of the offense is loaded with the potential of major playmakers, something Clemson lacked in 2010. Receivers Charone Peake from Dorman in Spartanburg is joined by Martavis Bryant, who spent a semester in prep school, and TE Eric MacClain. WR Stanton Seckinger, who will probably redshirt, also committed to the Tigers.
Region, who projects as a guard, is joined on the line by center Ryan Norton and tackles Shaq Anthony and Isaiah Battle.
But what the Tigers needed was a QB. And they signed two and placed a third for a grey shirt in Morgan Roberts. He is joined by Tony McNeal of Chester and Ohioan Cole Stoudt. Who redshirts and who will backup Tajh Boyd won't be known until the fall, but both bring strengths to the table. McNeal is probably the better athlete, while Stoudt is probably a more pocket-style guy.
Defensively is where the class fades. After the two star backers and LB Lateek Townsend, DE Corey Crawford and safety Cortez Davis, the class is full of guys who will need a redshirt.
Defensive tackles Jerome Maybank, Kevin Dodd, Grady Jarrett and DeShaun Williams are joined by defensive end Roderick Byers.
Linebackers B.J. Goodson and Colton Walls also signed, but will likely redshirt in their first season.
Two athletes were signed in Adam Humphries and Robert Smith. Both will probably redshirt, along with kicker signee Ammon Lakip.
Overall, a good class.
Clemson filled needs in this class, but I would've liked to see them sign another defensive back or two. Other than that, I think they filled their needs, and have guys they can redshirt and groom in their program. A few of the stellar signees should play right away, especially on offense.
The only thing is, they may not finish their career under coach Dabo Swinney, who after a losing record and two straight losses to South Carolina, is on a hot seat.
LINK: Clemson signing-day page
Wrap Up
It is important to note that the recruiting game is basically a lottery. These players were all great in high school, and while we can judge their height, weight, speed and technique, it is impossible to know their work-ethic, mental maturity and judgement.
What these young men do when they leave home and set foot on campus is up in the air. Ninety-nine percent will probably be fine student-athletes, but there is always that 1% that just don't have their heads on straight, and one look no farther than Lane Kiffin's highly touted Tennessee class.
Some players will live up to the hype, while others struggle, and some will over achieve: That is just part of the game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 2012 S.C. players
Name Position High School
1-Shaq Roland, defensive back, Lexington
2-Patrick DeStefano, offensive line, Dorman
3-Ronald Geohagan, defensive back, Alendale-Fairfax
4-Shakeem Wharton, runningback, Byrnes
5-Jaquan Wilson, defensive back, Myrtle Beach
6-Kwinton Smith, wide receiver, Dillion
7-Tay Hicklin, athlete, South Pointe
8-Quinshad Davis, wide receiver, Gaffney
9-Gimel President, defensive line, Wando
10-Oliver Jones, offensive line, Ninety-Six
South Carolina
The Gamecocks signed a monster-sized class, with 32 players in all. Clowney is the gem of this class, with some solid players joining him.
On offense, the Gamecocks signed New Jersey QB Tanner McEvoy, along with RBs Brandon Wilds of Blythewood and Shon Carson of Lake City. Joining them are a trio of WRs: Jersey speedster Damiere Byrd, possession receiver K.J. Brent, and Shameir Jeffrey, the younger brother of current Gamecock Alshon Jeffrey.
Tight end was an area of need, and Carolina signed three: Rory Anderson, Jerrell Adams and Drew Owens.
Six players make up the offensive line class. Junior-College transfer Kaleb Broome, who projects as a tackle, is joined by tackles Brandon Shell, Mike Matulis and Will Sport, and guards Kyle Harris and Quincy McKinney.
But the defensive side of the ball was a major area for the Gamecocks, and they did well.
On the line, Carolina signed brothers Gerald Dixon, and end, of South Point and Gerald Dixon Jr., a tackle, of Northwestern, along with tackles Phillip Dukes, Kelcy Quarles and Deon Green.
Linebacker was another area of concern, and the Gamecocks filled that need as well. Angelo Watley, Mason Harris, Cedrick Cooper, Edward Muldrow and Marcquis Roberts make up a class of guys that could grow into linebackers, safeties, or defensive ends.
The backfield was lacking depth last year, especially at safety. Carolina signed a third player from New Jersey in safety Sheldon Royster, along with Georgia native Kadtrix Marcus, Brison Williams, and corners Ahmad Christian, Ronnie Martin and Martay Mattox.
Overall, Carolina did a good job filling their needs with quality guys they can redshirt and build around. A few from this class may play right away, but with a majority of their team returning, expect most of this class to redshirt.
I expect one of the TEs signed to play this year, and possible one of the new safeties. But outside of those guys, and Clowney (and maybe Dukes and Byrd) it will be hard for these guys to crack meaningful playingtime with so many 2-deep players returning).
Link: USC Signing-Day page
Clemson
The Tigers closed their 2011 class very strong. Getting to late commitments from linebackers Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony, as well as mammoth offensive linemen Spencer Region, topped off a top-heavy group.
The other two big commitments for the class were speedy RB Mike Bellamy and WR Sammy Watkins, both out of Florida.
The rest of the offense is loaded with the potential of major playmakers, something Clemson lacked in 2010. Receivers Charone Peake from Dorman in Spartanburg is joined by Martavis Bryant, who spent a semester in prep school, and TE Eric MacClain. WR Stanton Seckinger, who will probably redshirt, also committed to the Tigers.
Region, who projects as a guard, is joined on the line by center Ryan Norton and tackles Shaq Anthony and Isaiah Battle.
But what the Tigers needed was a QB. And they signed two and placed a third for a grey shirt in Morgan Roberts. He is joined by Tony McNeal of Chester and Ohioan Cole Stoudt. Who redshirts and who will backup Tajh Boyd won't be known until the fall, but both bring strengths to the table. McNeal is probably the better athlete, while Stoudt is probably a more pocket-style guy.
Defensively is where the class fades. After the two star backers and LB Lateek Townsend, DE Corey Crawford and safety Cortez Davis, the class is full of guys who will need a redshirt.
Defensive tackles Jerome Maybank, Kevin Dodd, Grady Jarrett and DeShaun Williams are joined by defensive end Roderick Byers.
Linebackers B.J. Goodson and Colton Walls also signed, but will likely redshirt in their first season.
Two athletes were signed in Adam Humphries and Robert Smith. Both will probably redshirt, along with kicker signee Ammon Lakip.
Overall, a good class.
Clemson filled needs in this class, but I would've liked to see them sign another defensive back or two. Other than that, I think they filled their needs, and have guys they can redshirt and groom in their program. A few of the stellar signees should play right away, especially on offense.
The only thing is, they may not finish their career under coach Dabo Swinney, who after a losing record and two straight losses to South Carolina, is on a hot seat.
LINK: Clemson signing-day page
Wrap Up
It is important to note that the recruiting game is basically a lottery. These players were all great in high school, and while we can judge their height, weight, speed and technique, it is impossible to know their work-ethic, mental maturity and judgement.
What these young men do when they leave home and set foot on campus is up in the air. Ninety-nine percent will probably be fine student-athletes, but there is always that 1% that just don't have their heads on straight, and one look no farther than Lane Kiffin's highly touted Tennessee class.
Some players will live up to the hype, while others struggle, and some will over achieve: That is just part of the game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 2012 S.C. players
Name Position High School
1-Shaq Roland, defensive back, Lexington
2-Patrick DeStefano, offensive line, Dorman
3-Ronald Geohagan, defensive back, Alendale-Fairfax
4-Shakeem Wharton, runningback, Byrnes
5-Jaquan Wilson, defensive back, Myrtle Beach
6-Kwinton Smith, wide receiver, Dillion
7-Tay Hicklin, athlete, South Pointe
8-Quinshad Davis, wide receiver, Gaffney
9-Gimel President, defensive line, Wando
10-Oliver Jones, offensive line, Ninety-Six
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