Palmetto Proving Grounds

Stay tuned to this thread for updates throughout the day today as news breaks and National Letters of Intent roll in!

NLIs received

Skai Moore - Moore was a big final piece of the puzzle in this class, making his announcement mid-morning on Signing Day. He projects to play the WILL linebacker position at South Carolina and has a chance to compete for immediate playing time for Lorenzo Ward and Kirk Botkin. One of the best coverage linebackers in the country and has big play ability.

David Williams – South Carolina made the decision early on to focus their recruiting efforts on Williams as the final running back in this class and that strategy paid off. He possesses the big play ability the staff was looking for and should compete for playing time early in his career. Chose the Gamecocks over schools like Ohio St, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.

Jamari Smith – Smith seems to be one of the forgotten men in this class, but I think that’s a mistake. His senior film is very impressive, and he played against some of the best competition in the state of Florida. He could very well end up being one of the surprise players coming into the Gamecock program this summer.

Bryce King – King was one of the first commitments in this class and remained firm throughout the process. While he played tackle the week of the Shrine Bowl, he will be an interior lineman at South Carolina. He could start his career at center but also has the tools to be a contributor at either guard spot if needed.

David Johnson – Johnson took a late visit to Vanderbilt but never wavered on his South Carolina commitment. The staff’s plan has been to give Johnson a look at middle linebacker once he arrives on campus, but his weight will determine whether that happens. Long term, he is likely to end up playing with his hand on the ground, ala former Gamecock star Melvin Ingram.

Na’Ty Rodgers – South Carolina fought off a late charge from home state Maryland to add Rodgers to the fold. He has the tools to be a natural fit at the tackle position at South Carolina and has the potential to be a multi-year starter in Columbia if he flourishes as expected under offensive line coach Shawn Elliott’s tutelage.

Devante Covington – Covington is another player who was impressive the week of the Shrine Bowl as he showed that he is a natural pass rusher. He is also someone who has been well coached at the high school level and should be a player who develops nicely under new defensive line coach Deke Adams.

Mohamed Camara – With Pharoh Cooper getting a late bump in the rankings, I think Camara becomes the most underrated player in this Gamecock class. He’s a perfect fit at the spur position and also has the mentality and skills to help the Gamecocks on special teams. I could easily see him getting on the field faster than many anticipate.

Gerald Turner – Turner reminds some of former Gamecock defensive end Eric Norwood in that he’s on the short side for a defensive end but makes too many plays for the staff to pass him up. Played some linebacker the week of the Shrine Bowl and he should prove to be a versatile and productive player during his career in Columbia.

Alan Knott – Some believe Knott was the best offensive line prospect in the Peach State this year and should begin his career in Columbia as a tackle. Chose the Gamecocks over North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Miami. Special teams coach Joe Robinson and offensive line coach Shawn Elliott both connected with Knott early on in the process.

Pharoh Cooper – Cooper was one of the most underrated members of this Gamecock recruiting class for much of the process. He did receive a deserved bump to a high three star (89) late in the game after an outstanding week at the Shrine Bowl. Reminds some of current Gamecock Bruce Ellington and figures to start his career at cornerback. He could also get in the mix as a return man early in his career.

Ali Groves – Groves was another early commitment for the Gamecocks, who were the first team to offer him. He missed most of his junior season due to a neck injury but came back strong as a senior. South Carolina is still building their depth at cornerback and there will be an opportunity for Groves to compete for a spot on the two-deep early in his career.

Larenz Bryant - Bryant is a big key to the class because he comes in at a position of need and has a chance to play early. He will need to learn the defense quickly but he could very well be the starting weakside linebacker for the opener. South Carolina beat out top programs like Alabama, Michigan, and Georgia for Bryant’s signature and expectations are high.

Kelsey Griffin - Griffin was an interesting recruit because he favored Georgia for much of the process and even tried to commit to the Bulldogs at one point. After that though, he was all South Carolina and never wavered. He will be a perfect tackle in the four-man front that the Gamecocks run. He’s been in touch with new line coach Deke Adams and the two have hit it off. How quickly he learns the defense and adjusts to the college game will determine if he redshirts or plays, but he has the physical tools to be special.

Jonathan Walton – It’s not often South Carolina ventures into the state of Alabama and signs a player Auburn or Alabama also offers, but that’s exactly happened in the case of Walton. Linebackers coach Kirk Botkin made Walton a priority and did a great job building a relationship with him in a short period of time. Projects as a middle linebacker for the Gamecocks.

Jasper Sasser – Sasser is an interesting prospect to watch in this class in that despite him spending most of his time at the high school level on offense, he projects to play safety at South Carolina. He has strong ball skills and a good combination of size and speed. It will take him some time to adjust to that side of the ball at the college level, but he has the potential to be a playmaker in the future for the Gamecocks.

J.P. Vonashek – Vonashek racked up one of the most impressive offer lists of any offensive lineman in the Peach State this year, turning down schools like Georgia, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State and several others. Projects to play tackle at South Carolina and he has the frame to get much bigger during his time in Columbia. Great upside.

Devin Washington – Washington is the total package on and off the field. He not only excels as a football player but also as a student and a person. He has future leader of the defense written all over him. Extremely active player with a knack for game changing plays.

NLIs still expected

The class is now complete.

Early enrollees

Connor Mitch - December feature: Mitch beginning a new chapter
D.J. Park - January feature: Park ready to tackle new challenge
Ronnie Martin - JUCO Signing Day feature: ’It’s a great day to be a Gamecock’

Signing class and rankings

Class of 2013 commitment list
247Sports team recruiting rankings
247Composite team recruiting rankings
Class of 2014 offer list

Pre-signing day coverage

Stage set for National Signing Day - South Carolina has 17 commitments who will sign national letters of intent on Wednesday and those players shouldn’t be forgotten. In this story, find out who is signing when but also get the latest information on where things stand with the uncommitted prospects the Gamecocks are after in this piece from Wes Mitchell.
Tuesday afternoon update on Moore, Bryant - Publisher Tony Morrell, who has tracked the uncommitted prospects tirelessly over the last few days, has the latest on four-star prospects Skai Moore and Keith Bryant. Want to know where things stand heading into National Signing Day? Here’s your most recent update.
Spurnotes: Down to two? - On Wednesday morning, Morrell released his NSD eve update on all of the uncommitted prospects the Gamecocks are chasing. Get the scoop on where South Carolina stands and what other teams are in the race in this update.
VIP Room: Countdown to Signing Day - There’s a lot of notes on the 2013 prospects signing today but also get the latest from behind the scenes in Gamecocks athletics in this edition of the VIP Room. Find out what Connor Shaw is doing in the offseason workout program, get the latest news from the basketball court and baseball diamond, and much more from Junior Day.
Walton to the Gamecocks? - South Carolina appeared to pick up a commitment from three-star linebacker Jonathan Walton when he stated on Twitter he would be joining commitment Mohamed Camara in Columbia. Here’s the latest on Walton, who projects as a middle linebacker for the Gamecocks.

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