Gamecock Fans Need to Chill

by Chris Paschal

When I was younger, my mother tried to change both my vocabulary as well as both of my brothers’ vocabularies. “Instead of saying, ‘I have to go to school,’ start saying, ‘I get to go to school,'” she would tell us. She was trying to change our attitude and perspective on life. I get what she was doing, and it worked sometimes, but when you’re a teenage boy those types of things only work for so long.

Well, Gamecock Fans, y’all need a change of perspective, as well. Many members of this fanbase are trashing this 2019 recruiting class. But it’s because many Gamecock fans are looking at this class with the wrong perspective. I’m guilty of it, too. Instead of being grateful for the young men South Carolina did sign, some fans are more concerned with who South Carolina did not sign.

I get it. There are definitely some prospects in this 2019 recruiting class that I wanted Will Muschamp to sign. Warren McClendon, one of the top offensive tackle prospects in Georgia, is cousins with Gamecock Offensive Coordinator, Byran McClendon. He decided to sign with the home state Bulldogs. Another Georgia product, DJ Daniel, one of the top JUCO prospects in the country and a Gamecock commitment, flipped late in the recruitment process and signed with Georgia. Tyron Hopper is originally from Gaffney before moving to the Atlanta area. Hopper was between the Gators and the Gamecocks and signed with Florida. Chris Steele is one of the top cornerback prospects in the country. After decomitting from Southern Cal, it looked like the Gamecocks were in a solid position to snag Steele. Now it looks like he will sign with the Gators.

These near misses and disappointing recruiting losses, however, have blinded some in the Gamecock fan base from what South Carolina was able to secure. For example, many South Carolina fans were upset to know they were runners-up to Travon Walker, five star defensive tackle, and Savion Jackson, one of the top defensive ends in the country. But look at what the Gamecocks were able to sign along the defensive line. Zacch Pickens, a five star from Anderson, SC committed to the Gamecocks and gives Will Muschamp his first five star signee at South Carolina. Pickens is considered by many recruiting analysts to be one of the top defensive line prospects in the country. He is big (6-5, 285), physical, athletic (rushed for close to a thousand yards this past season), and a play maker (recorded an interception returned for a touchdown in the state championship game).

South Carolina also signed Joseph Anderson out of the Nashville area. Anderson was courted by all the big boys, including Notre Dame and Tennessee. Anderson would have been both Notre Dame’s and Tennessee’s top defensive line signee had he signed with either of those two programs. He is the second best signee (according to recruiting analysts) at South Carolina. The Gamecocks also signed Rodricus Fitten out of the Atlanta area. Fitten is a fast, pass rushing-type prospect that can also play some linebacker. Big, JUCO signee, Devontae Davis (6-5, 250) is already practicing on campus! And then there is Jahkeem Green, one of the best JUCO defensive linemen in the country who has not yet signed, but who looks like will sign in February.

This is already one of the best defensive line groups in the country, and it might not be finished yet with four star, defensive tackle Jaquaze Sorrells still strongly considering South Carolina. So yes, it hurts that the Gamecocks missed on Travon Walker and Savion Jackson, but few programs signed a better defensive line class.

When you consider the talent South Carolina gained along the defensive line, the fact that the Gamecocks snagged the top quarterback prospect in the entire country in Ryan Hilinski, and the fact that the quality of player South Carolina signed was right up there with the rest of the SEC, this class doesn’t seem so bad.

I’m also a little more optimistic about some of the “skill” position players than others are. For example, Kevin Harris was a low-ranked three star running back out of South Georgia. People knocked him for not having SEC speed. To be honest, as a Gamecock fan, I could care less if South Carolina backs have top-end speed, and guess what, one back, redshirt freshman, Lavonte Valentine won the Florida 4A 100-meter title with a time of 10.61. What Harris brings is size (5-11, 230). That’s going to be a tough guy to bring down in short yardage situations, something South Carolina has struggled with for years.

When you look at who South Carolina signed at linebacker, don’t focus on the fact that the Gamecocks missed on Hopper and instead focus on the fact that South Carolina signed two solid prospects. Jahmar Brown will bring a speed that none of South Carolina’s backers have right now. He will be an excellent addition not only in stringing zone plays out, but also in pass coverage. Derek Boykins (6-1, 225) has the ideal size and speed needed to compete in the SEC. Clemson wanted Boykins, but was unable to get him to campus before signing day.

Look at defensive back. Let’s say South Carolina isn’t able to pull off the recruiting heist of the year and pull in Chris Steele, the cornerbacks that they were able to sign are elite. Cam Smith, from Blythewood, is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country. In fact, Barton Simmons, Director of Scouting for 247 Sports, opined that Smith is a borderline five star talent. Then there is John Dixon, from Florida. Dixon was courted by Penn State and Miami until the bitter end. He was offered by Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, and Tennessee among others. If he did not get hurt and nurse an injury his senior year, I’m not sure one of those elite programs don’t snag him. South Carolina stayed with him, and I bet the Gamecocks reap the benefits within the next few years.

I say all this to ask South Carolina fans to be grateful for the class South Carolina currently has, and not the class it could have been. The Gamecocks got better in the trenches (and more athletic on the offensive line). They got SEC-speed linebackers. They got tall, physical cornerbacks. They got a massive running back. And signed some big, versatile tight ends. Oh yeah, and not to mention a four star wide receiver that will fit in well with Shi Smith, OrTre Smith, Josh Vann & Co.

Hold your breath for Chris Steele, hope Muschamp can reel in Sorrells and count your blessings. This class is just fine. Take a deep breath and be grateful.