Top 10 recruits in the state of South Carolina in 2017

There are states that produce more FBS prospects than South Carolina, but for in-state schools, there’s still good low-hanging fruit to be found locally in the Class of 2017.

Recently, Clemson and South Carolina have signed 16 players ranked in the state’s top 10 in the past three seasons, with Clemson holding a 9-7 edge.

But if you’re looking for signs that Will Muschamp and the new staff at South Carolina are making inroads, look no further than the predictions for potential landing spots for the top 10 South Carolina prospects, as ranked by 247sports.com.

With tight end Will Register already committed and six more are strongly considering the Gamecocks, the 2017 class has the chance to have a distinct garnet and black flavor. This is after landing only two of the top 10 in 2016, with only one, Conway wide receiver Bryan Edwards, joining the program this season.

Part of this shift can be attributed to Clemson’s expanding national recruiting profile, as the Tigers have the nation’s second-rated class. But some of it is due to Muschamp and his staff aggressively selling their program.

OrTre Smith, the top-ranked player from South Carolina, is a tall, athletic player (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) with offers from South Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee and a host of others. His best high school position is wide receiver, and that’s where he’s being the most heavily recruited.

He attended junior days at both in-state schools, and has family ties to Clemson, but is still a long way from making a commitment.

The Gamecocks are also in prime position, according to 247sports, to land the rest of the top five players in the Palmetto State. That includes safety Davondre Robinson, athlete/receiver Shi Smith and defensive ends Logan Rudolph and Brad Johnson.

Rudolph, out of Rock Hill, already has close to 30 offers and is just the sort of pass rushing talent that college programs crave. He’s also the younger brother of Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, which may give the Cowboys an edge somewhere down the road.

Register was the first commitment for South Carolina in the Class of 2017, and it sounds like he’s locked in to a future in Columbia.

“I’ve grown up a Gamecock,” he told The State newspaper. “I’ve grown up here all around Gamecock football, so I’m very happy with my decision and I feel like it’s definitely the right one for me. I’ve always wanted to be a Gamecock football player and now I’ve got an opportunity. I’m definitely excited.”

It’s very early in the process, and with nine of the top 10 players in the state still narrowing their choices, this list could look far different by Thanksgiving — and different again by National Signing Day.

But, for now, here are South Carolina’s top 10 recruits, and where they’re predicted to wind up: