South Carolina 2012 Recruiting

South Carolina Gamecocks 2012 ... Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

South Carolina Gamecocks

2011 Record: 11-2

Sep. 3 at East Carolina W 56-37
Sep. 10 at Georgia W 45-42
Sep. 17 Navy W 24-21
Sep. 24 Vanderbilt W 21-3
Oct. 1 Auburn L 16-13
Oct. 8 Kentucky W 54-3
Oct. 15 at Mississippi St W 14-12
Oct. 22 OPEN DATE
Oct. 29 at Tennessee W 14-3
Nov. 5 at Arkansas L 44-28
Nov. 12 Florida W 17-12
Nov. 19 The Citadel W 41-20
Nov. 26 Clemson W 34-13
Capital One Bowl
Jan. 2 Nebraska W 30-13

2010 CFN Prediction: 7-5
2010 Record: 9-5

Sept. 2 Southern Miss W 41-13
Sept. 11 Georgia W 17-6
Sept. 18 Furman W 38-19
Sept. 25 at Auburn L 35-27
Oct. 2 OPEN DATE
Oct. 9 Alabama W 35-21
Oct. 16 at Kentucky L 31-28
Oct. 23 at Vanderbilt W 21-7
Oct. 30 Tennessee W 38-24
Nov. 6 Arkansas L 41-20
Nov. 13 at Florida W 36-14
Nov. 20 Troy W 69-24
Nov. 27 at Clemson W 29-7
SEC Championship
Dec. 4 Auburn L 56-17
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Dec. 31 Florida State L 26-17
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The Entire 2012 Recruiting Class

Top 5 South Carolina Recruits To Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. WR Shaq Roland
6-1, 180, Scout.com 4th ranked, five-star receiver. Roland is one of the top athletes in the South. He's special and he could play wideout or safety on the next level. As a receiver, he has great body control and can go up and get a ball anywhere on the field. He has long arms, strong hands, and he is someone that can stretch the field. He has moved around a lot and played multiple positions, so he needs to work on route running and getting off jams at the line.

2. RB Mike Davis
5-10, 195, Scout.com 10th ranked, four-star running back. Davis runs with patience and he just has that natural feel for the position. He is a downhill runner, but a graceful runner at the same time. He has very good vision, he lets things develop, and he knows when to turn it up field. He may lack top end speed and he can still work on his agility, but he is a strong back that produces at a high level.

3. WR Kwinton Smith
6-5, 195, Scout.com 21st ranked, four-star receiver.

4. OT Brock Stadnik
6-5, 290, Scout.com 18th ranked, four-star tackle. Stadnik says he can bench 370-pounds, squat 450 and has a 31-inch vertical jump.

5. OG Joe Harris
6-4, 285, Scout.com 14th ranked, four-star guard. Harris is an athletic big man who also participates in basketball and wrestling. He says he can bench 385-pounds and squat 500.

The 2012 Class Was Heavy On... The Gamecocks need skill players to load up for the future. The last two classes have been about the superstars up top, with Jadeveon Clowney the big get last year and Marcus Lattimore the star of 2010, but there’s work needing to be done to get the offensive playmakers in place for 2013 and beyond. The receiving corps needs to be addressed, but there isn’t one glaring weakness.

Team Concerns For 2012: The passing game has to be better. The defense should be a killer with one of the nation’s best pass rushes, and the running game should be terrific if and when Lattimore returns, but QB Connor Shaw has to be better down the field and a top target has to emerge with Alshon Jeffery gone. There’s an opening for a newcomer to step in and shine right away.

Looking Ahead To The 2012 Season: Defensive end Devin Taylor decided to come back for his senior year to jack up the hype for what the USC with 2011 top recruit Jadeveon Clowney seemingly ready to blow up into superstardom on the other side. The defensive tackles have to be replaced, but the linebackers should help pick up the slack for a while and the secondary – even with the early loss of corner Stephon Gilmore to the NFL – should be a plus. The key to the season is getting superstar running back Marcus Lattimore back and healthy. He’s reportedly ahead of schedule on rehabbing his injured knee, but he can’t be counted on right away. Quarterback Connor Shaw has to prove he can throw a forward pass on a regular basis, and he’ll have to do it without Alshon Jeffery, who left for the NFL after being badly ignored throughout the 2011 season.

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 11. That Class Was Heavy On ... the secondary. Getting Jadeveon Clowney is the crown jewel, but he's hardly the only key part of the class. While there are big-time stars all across the board, led by top offensive tackle Brandon Shell, running back Shon Carson, and lightning fast receiver Damiere Byrd, the secondary got the most help with several terrific prospects including safety Sheldon Royster, who might be thrown on the field right away, and Brison Williams, who’s ready-made to make an instant impact after spending last year at Fork Union Military Academy. Throw in corners Ahmad Christian and Ronnie Martin, the defensive backfield that struggled so much last year should be better soon.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 28. That Class Was Heavy On ... Marcus Lattimore. Steve Spurrier focused mostly on the secondary with five defensive back prospects signed who need to develop quickly. There isn't a star of the lot, but Victor Hampton with his tremendous speed comes close. The passing game got a little help with QB Connor Shaw and a few decent receivers including Ace Sanders, a 5-7 speedster, but the entire class, and especially the offense, revolves around Lattimore, Scout.com's No. 1 ranked back. The 6-0, 207 pounder picked the Gamecocks over Auburn, Florida State, and Georgia, among others, and he'll be the centerpiece of the Spurrier offense very, very soon.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 9. That Class Was Heavy On ... linebacker. The Gamecocks loaded up at wide receiver with Alshon Jeffrey and Lamar Scruggs excellent prospects, and the safeties are tremendous with Stephon Gilmore and Quin Smith stars for the future. The stars are at linebacker with Devonte Holloman and Damario Jeffery safety-sized defenders who could blow up after a little bit of time in the weight room, while JUCO transfers Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson looking to see time early on.

Capital One Bowl
South Carolina 30 … Nebraska 13
- CFN Thoughts on the Capital One

South Carolina: The Gamecocks came up with six sacks, and gave up four. … Connor Shaw completed 11-of-17 passes for 230 yards and two scores and ran 19 times for 42 yards and a score. … Kenny Miles ran 15 times for 67 yards and a score. … Alshon Jeffery caught four passes for 148 yards and a score. … D.J. Swearinger made seven tackles. … Jadeveon Clowney made four tackles with two sacks.

Nebraska: The Huskers committed ten penalties. USC six. … Taylor Martinez completed 10-of-16 passes for 116 yards and a score with a pick … Rex Burkhead ran 23 times for 89 yards, and led the team with five catches for 35 yards. … Lavonte David made 11 tackles with two sacks and forced a fumble.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Alshon Jeffery had 148 yards and a touchdown before getting tossed out of the game for fighting and No. 11 South Carolina's defense had six sacks and shut out No. 21 Nebraska in the final three quarters of 30-13 win at the Capital One Bowl on Monday.

The victory gave South Carolina (11-2) 11 wins for the first time in school history and snapped a string of three straight bowl losses.

Nebraska (9-4) lost its second consecutive bowl game and drops to 12-6 all-time in bowl matchups against SEC foes.

Both teams lost standout players in the third quarter when Jeffery, playing weeks after surgery on his hand, and Cornhuskers cornerback Alfonso Dennard were ejected for throwing punches at each other after a play.

But the Gamecocks kept the pressure on even without him and went up 23-13 with 12:25 to play on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Shaw to Kenny Miles. Miles then added a 3-yard touchdown run with just over three minutes left - his first of the season - to put the game out of reach.

Jeffery out-jumped the Nebraska secondary in the end zone to catch a 51-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Shaw at the end of the first half to send the Gamecocks into the locker room with a 16-13 lead.

Shaw passed for 161 yards in the half, hooking up with Jeffery on four of his five completions. Shaw finished the game 11 for 17 for 230 yards and ran for 42 yards and a touchdown.

It helped pick up the slack for a stagnant South Carolina rushing attack, which produced just 58 yards on 21 attempts.

It also made up for an offensive line that allowed Shaw to be sacked three times in the opening 30 minutes.

The Gamecocks led 9-6, but kept a Cornhuskers' drive alive late in the first quarter after picking up a third down, 15-yard face mask penalty. Nebraska scored three plays later on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Ameer Abdullah.

Nebraska needed just 56 seconds to score the game's first touchdown when Martinez found receiver Kenny Bell for a 30-yard touchdown pass.

South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson blocked the extra point, though, and Stephon Gilmore scooped it up and returned it for the 2-point defensive PAT.

The Gamecocks offensive kept the momentum going on their ensuing drive, capping an 11-play, 55-yard drive with a fourth down, goal line quarterback sneak by Shaw.

Nov. 26 at South Carolina 34 … Clemson 13  

Nov. 19 at South Carolina 41 … Citadel 20
CFN Analysis: The Gamecocks might be out of the SEC title chase, but at 9-2, there’s a chance for this to be a far more successful season than last year when they got to the championship and got drilled by Auburn. A win over Clemson and a 10-2 record would be special, and add a bowl win to the mix would make it the greatest year in USC history. … The Citadel ground game was annoying, and the quirky option moved the ball on the Gamecock defensive front, but when it was time to turn the energy up a notch, front seven came through. Rodney Paulk sniffed out plays time and again on his way to 12 tackles. … Connor Shaw got all day to throw and he still couldn’t seem to find Alshon Jeffery enough. Five catches for 81 yards and a score should be a half for No. 1 against a secondary like Citadel’s. 

Nov. 12 at South Carolina 17 … Florida 12
CFN Analysis: The South Carolina defense and the line came through to keep the SEC title hopes alive. The Gamecocks made three sacks and camped out in the backfield with the pressure coming from all angles and several different spots. … Brandon Wilds might not be Marcus Lattimore, but he carried the attack for stretches with a tough 120 yards on 29 carries, while Connor Shaw ran for 88 yards and two scores and threw for 81. … The USC passing game just isn’t going to be there. It’s not getting better. … The ten-win regular season is still there for the taking with the layup against Citadel next week before closing out against Clemson.  

Nov. 5 at Arkansas 44 … South Carolina 28
CFN Analysis: These aren’t the fun ‘n’ gun days of Florida. The Gamecocks managed just 207 yards of total offense, turned the ball over four times, and never got Alshon Jeffery involved. Jeffery only caught three passes for 19 yards, Connor Shaw was the leading rusher with just 24 yards, and despite converting 8-of-12 third down chances, nothing seemed to work. Amazingly enough, even with all the problems, the Gamecocks were only down two in the fourth quarter, but the defense couldn’t come up with a stop late to get over the hump. The SEC East title chase isn’t over. Georgia still has to beat Auburn, and if South Carolina can beat Florida and get a break, it’s in. However, the offense isn’t there without Marcus Lattimore and with Jeffery neutered, either the defense has to rock, or it’ll be a rough final few weeks. The secondary showed this week that it couldn’t handle someone who can throw the ball and the No. 3 pass defense is misleading. Clemson can throw the ball.

Oct. 29 South Carolina 14 … at Tennessee 3
CFN Analysis: South Carolina didn’t have to do anything fancy to beat Tennessee. It had to keep the mistakes to bare minimum, and it didn’t do that, turning the ball over three times. It also had to keep the chains moving, and that wasn’t a problem converting 10-of-18 third down chances. Connor Shaw didn’t take any chances whatsoever, throwing for just 87 yards, while still throwing a pick. Alshon Jeffery only caught three passes for 17 yards, but the running game did its part with Brandon Wilds running for 137 yards doing his Marcus Lattimore impersonation. Playtime is over. Now the Gamecocks have to open up the attack a bit with a trip to Arkansas up next before the Florida showdown.  

Oct. 15 South Carolina 14 … at Mississippi State 12
CFN Analysis: Connor Shaw wasn’t asked to bomb away down the field, and he threw a few picks and wasn’t always on, but when he had to throw the one pass needed for a big play, he came up with the scoring lob to Alshon Jeffery for the game-winner. With Marcus Lattimore hurting with a sprained knee after running for just 39 yards and a score, it was up to Shaw to win the game, and he managed to do it. The defense did a nice job against the MSU running game and kept the inconsistent passing attack under wraps, and the USC offense came through when it had to. The D should be enough to get by Tennessee in two weeks, but to have any shot against Arkansas, the offense has to figure out how to get points against a decent D. Shaw hasn’t looked like the quarterback to do it … yet.  

Oct. 8 at South Carolina 54 … Kentucky 3
CFN Analysis: Oh sure, Connor Shaw looks great against Kentucky. Stephen Garcia has to be a wee bit ticked that he didn’t get a chance to show what he could do in a game against a lightweight, but Shaw showed he could get the done completing 26-of-39 passes for 311 yards and four scores, and magically, the offense realized Alshon Jeffery should probably get the ball more. However, Steve Spurrier still can’t figure out how to use Marcus Lattimore. The star back wasn’t used much early, the game became a blowout, and he still got work finishing with 22 carries; the fewer carries in meaningless games, the better. The defense came up with its best game yet, and now it’s time to put it all together on both sides of the ball on the road at Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Arkansas.  

Oct. 1 Auburn 16 … at South Carolina 13
CFN Analysis: South Carolina did everything it could possibly do to give Auburn the game. Granted, Michael Dyer and the Tiger ground attack had a lot to do with the win, but with four turnovers, a horrible game from Stephen Garcia, and only giving Marcus Lattimore the ball 17 times, this wasn’t a good game in any way for the coaching staff or the team. Melvin Ingram was tremendous with 11 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a pick, and four tackles for loss in a dominant effort, but his offense couldn’t do its part. Fortunately for USC, the rest of the East is in trouble and it already has a win over Georgia. The division title is still there for the taking if the terrific team finally plays up to its talent on a consistent basis. Getting more out Garcia is a start.

Sept. 24 South Carolina 21 … at Vanderbilt 3
CFN Analysis: South Carolina isn’t exactly humming offensively, but Vanderbilt’s strong defense had something to do with that. Marcus Lattimore was kept under wraps, running for 77 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and Alshon Jeffery continues to be puzzlingly ineffective with just two catches for 34 yards, but the defense wasn’t going to allow the upset. Jadeveon Clowney was every bit the superstar he’s expected to be with two sacks, four tackles, and two key forced fumbles, and Melvin Ingram was Melvin Ingram with three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a score. Stephen Garcia’s four interceptions will open up the door against for Connor Shaw to take over at the worst possible time. With Auburn coming up, everything is supposed to be working, and it’s not. Even so, 4-0 is 4-0. The Gamecocks have too much talent not to figure it all out.  

Sept. 17 at South Carolina 24 … Navy 21
CFN Analysis: South Carolina has a strange way of always playing up or down to its competition. Navy took it to the Gamecock defense and was fearless in moving the ball on the ground, but Marcus Lattimore showed what an NFL caliber back looks like with 246 yards and three touchdowns. There has to be some fear that the tread is going to wear off the tires as the season goes on; it’s mid-September, and Lattimore just ran 37 times in a non-conference game. In just three games, the franchise back already has 96 touches, and now comes dates against Vanderbilt and Auburn that the team can’t afford to give away. Stephen Garcia is the only other player to carry the ball. 

Sept. 10 South Carolina 45 … at Georgia 42
CFN Analysis: The pass defense has been ripped to shreds over the first two weeks, and the pass rush hasn’t been consistent, but once it all comes together, the defensive front will be a killer. When it was time to come up with the big play, Jadeveon Clowney got the job done, generated the pressure to force an Aaron Murray fumble, and it was effectively game over. Stephen Garcia struggled, completing just 11-of-25 passes, but Marcus Lattimore continued to show why he might be the best back in college football with a tough 176-yard, one score day, dominating Georgia for the second year in a row. The stats for the pass defense will look far stronger over the next few weeks against Navy and Vanderbilt, and now the Gamecocks get a nice stretch of home games, not going back on the road until mid-October.
 
Sept. 3 South Carolina 56 … East Carolina 37
CFN Analysis: Whether it was a motivational ploy or if Steve Spurrier really did believe that Connor Shaw was the better option, Stephen Garcia ended the debate once and for all. Shaw misfired on two early deep passes that Garcia would’ve connected on for touchdowns, and then Garcia took over the game completing 7-of-15 passes for 110 yards and a score, while running for 56 yards and two scores. Marcus Lattimore was Marcus Lattimore with 112 yards and three scores, but he had to grind it out and didn’t bust out many big runs. The D might have struggled with the high-powered East Carolina offense, but the defensive front looked like it could be really, really good. There weren’t any sacks, but Jadeveon Clowney appears to be the real deal out of the gate with seven tackles and a tackle for loss.  

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … the secondary. While there are big-time stars all across the board, led by top offensive tackle Brandon Shell, running back Shon Carson, and lightning fast receiver Damiere Byrd, the secondary got the most help with several terrific prospects including safety Sheldon Royster, who might be thrown on the field right away, and Brison Williams, who’s ready-made to make an instant impact after spending last year at Fork Union Military Academy. Throw in corners Ahmad Christian and Ronnie Martin, the defensive backfield that struggled so much last year should be better soon.

Five South Carolina Recruits You Should Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. DE Jadeveon Clowney
6-5, 235.Clowney makes plays that only special players make. He gets up field in a hurry and really explodes off the ball. He is still a little light, but he has added nice over the past year and should play at around 260 pounds on the next level. He has great range, long arms to get into passing lanes, and he does not have many weaknesses. He is just such an explosive player, that is what stands out the most and a lot of athleticism.

2. OT Brandon Shell
6-7, 310, Scout.com’s 5th ranked offensive tackle. Shell has the tools to be one of the top tackles in the country. He has the size that can't be taught, he has great knee-bend, his feet may his biggest strength, and he is solid pass protector already as well. He still needs to work on his hand placement and holding blocks longer, but he made a great improvement over the past year and will only get better in the years to come.

3. S Sheldon Royster
5-11, 190, Scout.com’s 7th ranked safety. A running back for his St. Peters' team, Royster runs with more power than his frame might suggest. Should he move to the defensive side of the ball, he shows a willingness to be physical as he likes to run between the tackles and take on defenders. He has good balance and fights for extra yardage. A willingness to do the dirty work appears to be his best asset

4. DT Phillip Dukes
6-2, 275, Scout.com’s 13th ranked defensive tackle. Dukes is a lineman with versatility. He could play defensive tackle or defensive end in different fronts. He plays with a high motor, a lot of intensity, nice leverage, and with good quickness. He can still improve his hand, his disengaging skills, and he can add more moves. He really knows how to get upfield to find the ball.

5. WR Damiere Byrd
5-10, 160, Scout.com’s 18th ranked receiver. A rare combination of straightline track speed and the shake to juke several defenders, Byrd is the type of athlete that coaches scheme ways to get the ball in his hands. He's an excellent runner on inside handoffs, returns, and of course catching the ball. He doesn't adjust to the ball in the air like a natural receiver, but he does things once its in his hands that most can't. A home run threat in the open field.

2011 Entire Recruiting Class

Jerell Adams TE 6-5 217 Pinewood, S.C. (Scott’s Branch)
Rory Anderson TE 6-5 201 Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern)
K.J. Brent WR 6-3 178 Waxhaw, N.C. (Marvin Ridge)
Kaleb Broome OL 6-4 325 Aiken, S.C. (Aiken/Georgia Military College)
Shon Carson RB 5-8 188 Scranton, S.C. (Lake City)
Ahmad Christian DB 5-10 182 Jacksonville, Fla. (Trinity Christian)
Cedrick Cooper LB 6-2 208 Lithonia, Ga. (Lithonia)
Gerald Dixon DE 6-2 266 Rock Hill, S.C. (South Pointe)
Gerald Dixon Jr. DT 6-2 307 Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern)
Phillip Dukes DT 6-2 296 Manning, S.C. (Manning)
Deon Green DT 6-3 269 Windermere, Fla. (Olympia)
Kyle Harris OL 6-3 280 Silver Creek, Ga. (Pepperell)
Mason Harris LB 6-3 205 Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. (Ridgeland)
Shamier Jeffery WR 6-1 202 St. Matthews, S.C. (Calhoun County)
Kadetrix Marcus DB 6-1 182 Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson)
Ronnie Martin DB 5-10 166 Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg)
Martay Mattox QB 6-1 184 Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central)
Mike Matulis OL 6-4 267 Boynton Beach, Fla. (Park Vista)
Tanner McEvoy QB 6-6 207 Hillsdale, N.J. (Bergen Catholic)
Quincy McKinney OL 6-3 314 Columbus, Ga. (Carver)
Edward Muldrow LB 6-3 187 Snellville, Ga. (South Gwinnett)
Drew Owens TE 6-4 211 Charlotte, N.C. (Ardrey Kell)
Kelcy Quarles DT 6-5 258 Hodges, S.C. (Greenwood/Fork Union Military)
Marcquis Roberts LB 6-0 202 Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern)
Sheldon Royster DB 5-11 185 Woodbridge, N.J. (St. Peter’s Prep)
Brandon Shell OL 6-6 316 Goose Creek, S.C. (Goose Creek)
Will Sport OL 6-4 277 Milton, Fla. (Pace)
Angelo Watley LB 6-1 227 Lawrenceville, Ga. (Peachtree Ridge)
Brandon Wilds RB 6-1 225 Blythewood, S.C. (Blythewood)
Brison Williams DB 5-8 208 Warner Robins, Ga. (Northside/Fork Union Military)