The Gamecocks are looking to make a strong run to the finish line for the second consecutive season. With 19 commitments already secured, Carolina is in strong shape with several National level prospects as Steve Spurrier looks to put together back to back top 15 classes.
In this edition of The Cockfather Illustrated Blog, I take a look at
South Carolina's Ten Most Wanted List.
1) Marcus Lattimore RB 5'11 205 Byrnes HS, Duncan, SC - Without a doubt, Lattimore is, and has been the top prospect on the Carolina 2010 recruiting board for the better part of two years. Lattimore is the complete package as a running back. The Byrnes spread offense has allowed the 2009 Mr. Football award winner to display his skills as an instinctive runner, with natural abilities to cut and great field vision comparable to Emmit Smith and Barry Sanders. Lattimore is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield, playing with the ball skills of an elite WR. The creativity of former head coach and current offensive coordinator Bobby Bentley has also allowed LAttmore to show off his ability to run the wild-cat formation, taking direct snaps from center. The U.S. Army All-American will announce his college destination on Feb 2nd at his church, the day before National Signing Day.
The Favorite- South Carolina
The Darkhorse- Auburn
2) Johnavon Fulton CB 6'1 180 Manning HS, Manning, SC- Fulton is one of the nation's best all purpose CB prospects. With great size and speed, Fulton showed off his abilities at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolina's and came away rated as the top overall performer by ESPN recruiting analyst JC Shurburtt. A candidate for mid-year enrollment, The Under Armour All-American is set to announce his decision on Jan 2nd. Alabama and South Carolina are in a virtual dead heat, but Nick Saban's in-home visit may still have Bama slightly in front. Even with a Jan. 2nd announcement, this one will likely go down to signing day as Lorenzo Ward and Shane Beamer will not relent in their pursuit of Fulton. Obviously, if Fulton is a mid-year enrollee, either Bama or Carolina will have less time to change his mind, Florida is also a finalist for the services of Fulton.
The Favorite- Bama by a hair
The Darkhorse- Carolina could still lead.
3) Justin Parker LB 6'2 220 Beaufort HS, Beaufort, SC- Parker is the top rated linebacker in the Palmetto State this season. The Shrine Bowl selection displayed why is one of the top inside linebacker prospects in the southeast this past week at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Parker plays with football speed, and has great natural instincts and is a big hitter. MLB is a position of need for Carolina in this class, and the Gamecocks have been relentless in their pursuit of the Beaufort standout. Parker already has two former teammates in Columbia in Devin Taylor and Jimmy Legree. I'll be surprised if Parker is not a Gamecock when all is said and done, and he will be a bigtime pickup for Carolina, as LSU Defensive Coordinator John Chavis has made Parker a priority in Baton Rouge. Carolina's gain would also be a big loss for Clemson, as the Tigers have devoted a lot of time in their recruitment of Parker.
The Favorite- Carolina
The Darkhorse-Watch out for LSU
4) Ace Sanders WR 5'9 165 Manatee HS Bradenton, FL- Carolina QB coach GA Mangus is known as one of the top recruiters in the greater Tampa, FL area, and he is hoping to pull in a big-time slot receiver in the mold of Reggie Demps in Manatee standout Ace Sanders. Sanders recently torched the Nation's top rated HS team in Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas HS, and their top rated CB's LaMarcus Joyner, Cody Riggs, and Keion Payne. While Sanders is rated as a 4 star prospect by Rivals, I still feel he is undervalued, and would be a steal for Carolina, who have recently moved to the front for his services due to the efforts of Ace recruiter (no pun intended) GA Mangus. If the Gamecocks can hold off South Florida and West Virginia, they may have one of the biggest steals from the sunshine state in this class.
The Favorite- South Carolina
The Darkhorse- USF
5) Ego Ferguson DE 6'3 270 Frederick, MD Hargrave Military Academy- arguably the top prep defensive line prospect in the country, the Gamecocks are still in the mix for the services of this five star prospect, although I would consider him a longshot at this point, as the Gamecocks have yet to nail down an official visit. Carolina does have connections to Ferguson's family, as his uncle played for Steve Spurrier at Florida. Jay Graham should be commended for the work he has put in, but pending an official visit, the Gamecocks are on the outside looking in. One thing to keep an eye on is the decision of DT Shariff Floyd. A source told me recently that Ferguson may decide to follow Floyd and both attend the same school. Should Floyd choose South Carolina, then I do think the Gamecocks will be major players for Ferguson.
The Favorite- LSU
The Darkhorse- South Carolina
6) Victor Hampton CB 5'11 170 Charlotte, NC Darlington HS (SC)- Hampton was an early commitment to the Florida Gators. However, when he got into some trouble and transferred from Independence HS in Charlotte to Darlington HS, where his mother lives, UF dropped him from their commitment list. Hmapton has officially visited South Carolina and assistants Ellis Johnson and Lorenzo Ward have done their due diligence in making the decision that Floyd is a take. The U.S. Army All-American is set to announce his decision at the Army AA game in San Antonio on Jan. 9th. There are rumors that Florida is making a late push and that Tennessee remains an option for Hampton. This looks to be a big get for The Gamecocks, and his announcement on NBC will be big for Carolina.
The Favorite- South Carolina
The Darkhorse- Florida
7) Jeremy Deering WR/FS 6'2 205 Leto HS, Tampa. FL- Once again, Carolina is hoping to take advantage of assistant coach GA Mangus's strong ties to the Tampa area and pull out another big-time play maker. Deering is capable of playing receiver or a number of positions on defense. The Leto standout will make a January 15th official visit to Columbia, which will come on the heels of a visit to FSU. Deering has made official visits to Illinois and Purdue, and is set to visit Rutgers on Jan. 22nd. Deering is a bit of a free spirit and no one really knows which school he will choose on Feb 3rd, but the Gamecocks are in strong position due to the relationship Deering has formed with Mangus.
The Favorite- FSU
The Darkhorse- South Carolina
8) Tavaris Barnes DL 6'4 245 First Coast HS Jacksonville, FL- Barnes has been committed to FSU since the summer, but his relationship with Gamecock linebacker Shaq Wilson has kept Carolina on his mind. The big DL prospect could play either end or tackle, depending on how much more weight his 6'4 frame will carry once he arrives on campus. Barnes has a very high ceiling and Carolina DL coach Brad Lawing would love to have someone with Barnes tools to develop with the impending graduation of Cliff Matthews, Clifton Geathers and Ladi Ajiboye following the 2010 season. Jacksonville recruiter Steve Spurrier, Jr. has strong ties to the first coast program, and Carolina is a factor in Barnes final decision. It will be hard to pull Barnes away from the 'Noles, but the Gamecocks do have staying power and we won't really know until NSD.
The Favorite- FSU
The Darkhorse- South Carolina
9) Kendall Moore LB 6'3 232 Southeast HS Raleigh, NC - Has been committed to Notre Dame since July. However, with the firing of Charlie Weis and the dismissal of co-defensive coordinator Corwin Brown, the door has been opened slightly, as the big OLB has re-opened his recruitment. While still claiming to be a ND commit, Moore took an official visit to NC State over the weekend. He has tentatively set a Jan. 15th date for an official visit to South Carolina. Should Moore take that trip, I think the Gamecocks will have a legitimate shot at turning Moore. One additional factor to consider is that The Gamecocks plan to take only one more LB in this class, and The Gamecocks would prefer Justin Parker to be that guy. Still, a talent like Moore may be an over-sign candidate.
The Favorite- Notre Dame
The Darkhorse- South Carolina
10) Kyle Woestmann DT 6'3 265 Walton HS Marrietta, GA- Woestmann has been a Vanderbilt commitment since the summer. That has not stopped fellow Walton HS Alumnus GA Mangus in his pursuit of the big DT prospect. Clemson is also still in hot pursuit of Woestmann, who recently was selected to the Georgia N-S All-Star game. In fact, some recruiting insiders believe Woestmann's final decision could come down to the two Palmetto State schools. Woestmann has yet to set a date for his official visit to Columbia, but Mangus is pushing for the Jan. 15th weekend, when the majority of Carolina's commitments and top uncommitted prospects will be in town.
The Favorite- Vanderbilt
The Darkhorse- South Carolina and Clemson
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