article on usc recruiting

Feb 9, 2017, 1:27 PM

from SEC today site, written by some guy named mike wilson. Guess we are doomed. on the other hand, not sure shi smith and brad johnson were 'takes' for us.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – As South Carolina football continues to build its way back up, the Gamecocks have looked to do so by recruiting South Carolina football players.

Will Muschamp and Co. placed a premium on recruiting from within the state from the day he was hired in Dec. 2015. That focus was evident when the Gamecocks signed their 2017 class last week, as the Gamecocks signed the state’s top three recruits and 6 of the top 8, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

“These are all guys we’re very familiar with,” Muschamp said. “We had them in camp. We worked them out. We’ve built a great relationship with them and we’re excited about them being here. They’re not anybody that we’re falling back on. These are guys we offered early in the process that we knew were important for us moving forward with our program.”

South Carolina signed 11 players from the Palmetto State in 2017, making up almost half of its 24-person recruiting class. Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Wando wide receiver OrTre Smith was the state’s top-ranked player and he signed with the Gamecocks, as did second-ranked Shi Smith (Union wide receiver) and third-ranked Brad Johnson (Pendleton defensive end). All three picked the Gamecocks over impressive offer lists, including Clemson.

When it comes to the view of in-state recruiting, Muschamp extends the recruiting map beyond geography.

The South Carolina coach said on signing day that he considers recruiting North Carolina to be recruiting in-state “because of the proximity to Charlotte.” The Gamecocks signed three from North Carolina in 2017, offensive lineman Eric Douglas, linebacker Sherrod Green and safety Jaylin Dickerson, who already is on campus and Muschamp said “can help us immediately.”

The Gamecocks also hit Georgia hard, signing six players from Georgia, including their top-ranked signee Jamyest Williams. But while hitting the nearby region – USC signed 20 of 24 players within a 5-hour driving radius – it comes back to keeping the top players from the state in the state to play college football.

Muschamp said he wanted to do that and he made good on it in the 2017 class.

“Well, I think that this state has really good players and really good coaching,” Muschamp said.