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As I told everyone the last several weeks, the Gamecocks had one more trick up their sleeve before the end of summer when they landed their fourth 4-Star DLine recruit in the 2023 class on Monday: Desmond Umeozulu. I spoke with National Analyst Adam Friedman earlier this week, and there's an argument to be made that the last month has put South Carolina as the top DLine recruiting class in the country, and arguably the top in school history, at least within the Rivals era. The Gamecocks have never had more than three 4-star or higher rated DLine recruits in the same class, and all four in this class are ranked in the Rivals250. While there may not be an immediate 2023 commitment on the horizon, there are still a few more pieces to fill in that class, and as of September 1st, 2024 recruiting is allowed to ramp up and official offers are able to be sent. Today we'll look at where things stand with All-World ATH Nyckoles Harbor and give you an updated list of recruits who will be on campus for the first two home games.
My Latest Futurecast, And Why
So, I put in a futurecast for 5-Star Nyckoles Harbor on Monday, as the first of the Gamecocks' recruiting sites to go on the record and stake my 90% accuracy rate that he will ultimately land with South Carolina. Obviously, that is subject to change; the young man hasn't taken any official visits yet, but he did take two unofficial visits to Columbia, SC over the summer, and has connections with several South Carolina recruits, including DB Zahbari Sandy, OL Tree Babalade, and EDGE Desmond Umeozulu.
As we announced several weeks ago, Harbor is set to Officially Visit on Sept. 17th for the UGA game, and it seems that his DMV brethren will be joining him, as Sandy, Umeozulu, and 2024 DB target Braydon Lee have all already announced they will be making the short trip south as well. I spoke with Tree Babalade who isn't sure if he will make it yet as well, but may also attend. Edit: it looks like Big Tree is coming too.
That short trip is one of the contributing factors in Harbor's recruitment. South Carolina is the closest SEC school to Harbor's home in the D.C. area, and the drive is doable, less than 8 hours, to Columbia, SC meaning friends and family could see him play more often there than his other top schools, especially if he wants to play in the SEC. That's not the only reason the Gamecocks are trending for the #1 overall ATH in the 2023 class. Shane Beamer was one of the first to recognize Harbor and build a relationship with him, back when he was a skinny, fast underclassman and Beamer was at Oklahoma. That relationship has sustained, and he seems to be making good ties with the assistants at South Carolina as well.
One of the factors to watch here is whether a school like LSU, with an excellent rack program, can sell Harbor on the benefits of doing both sports there because Harbor has a legitimate shot at being an Olympic Athlete if he chooses to pursue that. That said, I would put South Carolina and Michigan as the top 2 schools for Harbor at the moment, and give the Gamecocks the slight edge.
In regards to what position he might play, it seems the staff will be flexible and keep Harbor's desires in mind here, and most likely he would play most snaps at TE, but potentially be used on defense in pass-rushing scenarios. If you watch his tape, he is raw at DE, but incredibly fast coming off the EDGE, which could make him a nightmare in obvious passing downs.
There are many twists left to go in this recruitment, but I think I've proven in my time here that I don't put in futurecasts without some level of inside information that gives me confidence. I've only missed 2 out of 20 (really just 1, because I initially got Jaden Robinson right, but his flip to UF counts against me). So rest assured, the Gamecocks are in a good spot, and I would solidly call them the leader as we head into his official visits, but those can swing things over the next several months. As I mentioned on the podcast yesterday, we are currently looking at a December/January announcement date unless something changes.
Visitor List for Saturday Night
I mentioned the DMV crew will be in town for UGA, and we've previously mentioned that 2024 OL Kam Pringle is set to attend the SC State game, along with an official visit from DB Chris Peal that weekend, who initially was going to visit this weekend, but is going to UGA/Oregon instead. But in the more immediate future, several recruits are set to be in town for this weekend's game against Ga. State. The University announced this morning that the game is officially a sell-out, and as Beamer said earlier this week: "The electricity, the way all 80,000 people feel like they're playing the game for you." Tons of prospects will be on campus this weekend to witness that environment, and the list is sure to grow a bit before kick-off, so we will update you as it does, but here's what I have so far:
2023
Commits
Quick note: Anderson's family owns 365 Grillin & Seafood, which will have a food truck in the Gamecock Village from 3-7 PM on Saturday.
EDGE Monteque Rhames
Syracuse Commit QB LaNorris Sellers
I'm not fully sure what to make of Sellers' attendance yet. Perhaps the staff is pushing again for him to join the 2023 class at QB, or perhaps Sellers, who lives in Florence, is just taking the short drive to enjoy a CFB game. We will keep you posted.
2024
RB Jayden Scott
Lee Wardlaw caught up with Hunter to preview the trip yesterday.
OL Blake Franks
OL Mason Wade
ATH Kamron Mikell
Mikell just received an offer from South Carolina earlier this week according to his Twitter.
LB Devin Smith
LB Jadan Baugh
2025
DL Amare Adams
LB Sam Haley
