Signing Day Wrap- Offense

Another national signing day has come and gone, and this was about the most uneventful January in USC recruiting I can remember. The Gamecocks signed 24 players to National Letters of Intent yesterday morning and expect 23 of those to be enrolled by July. The class was ranked 23rd by ESPN.com and 25 by Rivals.com.

The headliner of the class is Byrnes RB Marcus Lattimore. The 5-foot-11, 210 pound five star prospect was widely considered one of the top two running backs in the country. He was rated as the No. 1 overall prospect for much of the year by The Sporting News, and finished rated as their No. 2 overall prospect behind DE Ronald Powell, a Florida signee.

There is no doubt in my mind that Lattimore can start from Day ONE at Carolina. Lattimore has a special skill set that very few backs possess. He can make people miss, make yards after contact, and has the best hands national analysts have seen in several recruiting cycles. I would be remiss without mentioning three other qualities that make Lattimore a can't miss prospect: Vision, Character, and Work Ethic.

Lattimore has great vision. He has the ability to see the hole, cutback and be full speed in one to two steps. He also has great feet, which allows him to be able to change direction and accelerate.

His character and work ethic seperate him from the last bigtime running back that signed with South Carolina. Lattimore does volunteer work in his community, is a good student, and comes from a good family that keeps him grounded. He is also a very humble, yet confident individual.

The Gamecocks signed six quality line prospects in this class thanks to the early work of departed offensive line coach Eric Wolford. Carolina had six OL commits in the summer and added a seventh in Buford, GA Du'Von Millsap last fall. There was one defection. Under Armour All-American Eric Mack showed what type of person he is by staying committed to Carolina, while recruiting other players for Auburn, the school he planned to attend since September.

Mack weighed 347 pounds on his official visit, and will struggle to qualify. Because of his added weight, declining attitude and work ethic, there was no sadness at the Eddie Floyd football building when Mack de-committed. Mack showed very little respect for anyone in Columbia while on his official visit and alienated many of his future teammates. There is a reason why Mack was NOT selected to represent South Carolina in The Shrine Bowl of the Carolina's.

My two cents on the top two candidates for immediate playing time is A.J. Cann and Millsap. Cann, an Under Armour All-American and the top overall offensive line prospect in South Carolina is now 6-foot-2 and weigh 285 pounds. He has the athletic ability and strength to make an immediate imapct at center or guard. I really like Cann long term at center. Millsap is a 6-5 330 pound mauler that I project as a right tackle. According to sources in the SEC, The Ole Miss staff compares Millsap to former Arkansas All-American Shawn Andrews, who played for Houston Nutt during his tenure at Arkansas.

The Gamecocks added three offensive linemen from Florida and all three have excllent long-term potential. Jacksonville standout Trammell Williams chose South Carolina over Illinois last summer and the Gamecocks held on to his pledge even after late overtures from Tennessee and FSU, both of which offered and sent NLI papers to his home. The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder could play center or guard and possesses the strength and athleticism to play right away. Williams could also get a look at defensive tackle, although only if needed.

Coco Beach product Ronald Patrick could prove to be the steal of the bunch. The 6-foot-1, 283 pound standout was a State Champion in 2009 and saw his stock rise tremendously right up until signing day. FSU came forward with an offer in early January, but Patrick was sold on the Gamecocks. Credit recruiter Jeep Hunter with building a strong relationship with Patrick during the process and that helped in keeping his commitment in tact. Patrick is another prospect that could play center or guard.

Tallahassee native Cody Gibson is the third of the sunshine state offensive line signees. The 6-foot-6 265-pounder projects long term as a left tackle and will need time to fill out his frame before being counted on to contribute.One or two years in Craig Fitzgerald's weight program should have Gibson in the 295-310 pound range an ready to play.

Havelock, NC mamouth Corey Robinson was spotted early by veteran eastern NC recruiter Brad Lawing, who had his first coaching stint at Havelock High many years ago. The 6-foot-7, 290-pound Shrine Bowl selection is still raw, but possesses great size and athelticism to develop into a quality SEC offensive lineman. He too will need time in the weight room and practice field to develop.

The Gamecocks added an intriguing TE prospect late in Corey Simmons, the son of former NFL great Clyde Simmons. The 6-foot-5, 225 pound Great Atlanta Christian product was a late bloomer, but from watching his film and looking at his measurables, appears to be a good pickup for the Gamecocks. HE was coached at GAC by former Gamecock standout linebacker Kenneth "Gus" Robinson. Simmons could also play defensive end after a redshirt year in 2010.

At receiver the Gamecocks added the playmaker they have been missing in Bradenton, Fla. standout Ace Sanders. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound speedster is the type of slot receiver Steve Spurrier's offense has been missing. Sanders could see immediate playing time as a kick returner and slot receiver.

Following the signing day defection of long time commitment Shaun Tapley to UNC, Jacksonville ace recruiter Steve Spurrier, Jr. reached out to Raines HS standout Javon Bell, who due to academic concerns had flown under the proverbial recruiting radar. The 5-foot-11 speed merchant was considered by many as the top overall receiver in Florida for this recruiting cycle. Bell was also selected by The Florida Times-Union as the Offensive Player of the Year.

According to an interview with his Bell's high school coach yesterday on Sports Radio 1400 in Columbia, they have a plan in place for Bell to be a full qualifier. Should this come to fruition, Bell would have to be considered as the biggest steal of the class. Had his academics been in order, he would have likely garnered offers from the Big 3 in Florida, as well as many top schools around the country.

The most likely scenario is that Carolina will place Bell in prep school and get him back in 2011.

Byrnes standout Nick Jones rounds out the Gamecock receiving class. The 5-foot-8, 190 pounder turned down a late offer from BCS participant Cincinnati for his services. Jones will add depth at the slot position and is impressive in his own right as a play maker.

Quarterbacks coach GA Mangus did a masterful job in securing the commitment of Conner Shaw last spring. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound signal caller committed to the Gamecocks following last April's Garnet and Black game. The son of a successful high school coach and brother to Georgia Tech QB Jaybo Shaw, the younger Shaw was Carolina's top prospect at the QB position.

Carolina was helped by the relationship formed by Mangus and the Shaw family when Mangus recruited Jaybo while the offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee under former USC assistant Rick Stockstill. Shaw is already enrolled at South Carolina and will likely be the No. 2 quarterback heading into the 2010 season.

The Gamecocks added Boiling Springs HS and Shrine Bowl QB Dylan Thompson following his performance at the Steve Spurrier football camp last June. Thompson, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound gunslinger threw for over 3000 yards as a senior.

Headliner- RB Marcus Lattimore

Sleeper- TE Corey Simmons

Steals- WR Ace Sanders, OL Ronald Patrick, Javon Bell (if he qualifies)