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Rivals nationwide recruiting analyst Adam Friedman has ideas on South Carolina‘s momentum, powerful occasions at Clemson and sophistication of 2026 prospects already catching his eye in right now’s Three-Level Stance.
SOUTH CAROLINA’S 2024 FOUNDATION
It has been a enjoyable couple weeks for Gamecocks followers with the tip of the 2023 class and the start of the 2024 class. Shane Beamer and his employees landed a complete of six commitments between the 2 lessons since Jan. 22, together with 2023 five-star Nyckoles Harbor on Nationwide Signing Day.
Thus far, South Carolina has 5 complete commitments within the 2024 class, with Rivals250 receiver Mazeo Bennett being the newest to leap aboard. Bennett is the second South Carolina native to decide to the Gamecocks within the 2024 class, together with the extremely ranked Kam Pringle. In reality, each South Carolina dedication within the 2024 class is rated as a four-star.
Within the 2023 class, South Carolina signed the Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and seven in-state gamers and 4 of them have been rated as four-star prospects. The Gamecocks are set as much as do even higher within the 2024 class, already holding commitments from the Nos. 1 and three in-state gamers (Pringle and Bennett) whereas Nos. 2 and 4 (Josiah Thompson and Blake Franks) are rumored to be leaning towards the Gamecocks. All 4 of these gamers are ranked within the Rivals250 as nicely.
South Carolina followers ought to be actually enthusiastic about how their workforce is making an attempt to load up on high-end offensive linemen.
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CLEMSON WHIFFING ON TOP TARGETS
Staying within the Palmetto State, issues aren’t going as nicely for the Clemson Tigers. Dabo Swinney and firm simply suffered a tricky recruiting loss within the type of 2024 Rivals250 quarterback Walker White who selected Auburn.
They’re additionally trailing for offensive line targets Josiah Thompson and Blake Franks (see above). This comes after lacking on 2023 offensive line targets Monroe Freeling (Georgia signee) and Sullivan Absher (Notre Dame signee).
The Tigers have not been recruiting offensive linemen from close by states at a formidable clip. That is effective after they’re capable of signal extremely ranked gamers from elsewhere but it surely’s laborious to fight the declining notion and less-than-stellar play of the unit when high targets are selecting different faculties. Within the final three recruiting lessons there have been 17 offensive linemen rated no less than four-star prospects from South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina, however Clemson has signed simply two of them.
Clemson has clearly achieved a greater job recruiting at quarterback over time however lacking on its high goal on the place after coming off a season the place the Tigers did not meet expectations and simply employed a high-profile offensive coordinator is a little bit of a setback.
The place will the Tigers flip?
5-star Jadyn Davis grew up a Clemson fan however there is not as a lot warmth of their relationship as there as soon as was. Michigan has the within monitor for him for the time being. Might present TCU commit Marco Davila comply with Garrett Riley to Clemson? That is a chance.
Jake Merklinger and William Hammond are additionally potential choices however it’s turning into extra possible that this may very well be a type of recruiting lessons (see the 2021, 2019 or 2016 class) the place Clemson does not land one of many highest-ranked quarterbacks.
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SIX 2026 PROSPECTS WHO HAVE BLOWN ME AWAY
The 2023 class was enjoyable to judge and we’re transferring onto the 2024 and 2025 rankings updates over the subsequent month however there are a couple of 2026 prospects who’ve already blown me away.
Tight finish or defensive finish? It does not matter the place Harrison finally ends up as a result of he will make an influence both manner. Additionally a standout on the basketball court docket, Harrison is almost 6-foot-7 and 230 kilos and brings quickness and aggressiveness to the sphere few others his measurement can.
His supply sheet has already hit double-digit with Alabama, Penn State, Tennessee and Oregon already in pursuit.
Elite working backs popping out of central Pennsylvania are nothing new (see Nicholas Singleton and LeSean McCoy) and Mickens appears like he’s subsequent up. As an incoming-freshman he impressed on the Rivals Camp Sequence in Philadelphia final spring, displaying off nice burst, straight-line velocity and chopping talents that led to a 1,000-yard freshman marketing campaign.
Penn State, Ohio State, Alabama and Texas A&M have already supplied and extra are on the way in which.
Hiter spent his freshman season making waves on either side of the ball. At this level it appears extra like he’ll become a working again however there’s quite a bit to get enthusiastic about if you activate his tape. Hiter has the dimensions, velocity and aggressive working fashion that soar off the display. ‘
Oregon, Virginia Tech and Maryland are just some of the applications which have supplied to date.
“Tank” Carrington caught our eye final spring on the Rivals Camp Sequence in Charlotte and he went on to have a productive season at powerhouse Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive lineman has the power and a skillset of a a lot older prospect.
With affords from Alabama, Michigan and Texas A&M in hand, Carrington shall be one to look at throughout the closing three years of his highschool profession.
Edwards is not a reputation many individuals are acquainted with simply but however he is already a nationwide prospect. Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas A&M have already supplied this large security.
Edwards is listed at 6-foot-1 and 193 kilos however he performs like a a lot greater prospect. He is an enormous hitter with velocity that enables him to fly across the discipline and make performs towards the run or go.
Carey has been an enormous identify for the reason that youth soccer circuit and already has loads of large affords and he backed up his status throughout his freshman yr. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive lineman is a bully in the midst of the protection. He can push round offensive linemen when wanted and has the quickness to slide by them to get into the backfield.
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