Assessing South Carolina's 2016 recruiting class the week before Signing Day

On the day he was hired, South Carolina coach Will Muschamp had 12 recruits committed for this year’s recruiting cycle — and not all were 100 percent sure about coming on board.

Six weeks later, after hiring a staff full of renowned recruiters — guys like Travaris Robinson, Bryan McClendon and Lance Thompson — he’s managed to put together a decent class in an abbreviated time frame.

While four-star QB Brandon McIlwain may be the highest profile get (or keep) for the new staff, it’s clear that the focus is on the other side of the ball.

The staff is looking for guys to rush the quarterback, and five of the 24 players either enrolled or committed to come to Columbia are defensive ends. The most highly rated, Miami native Keir Thomas, is already on campus.

Muschamp and company also landed the nation’s best junior-college corner, Jamarcus King, four-star WR Bryan Edwards and three-star RB CJ Freeman — all of whom should help right away. Former Alabama recruit, RB Tyren Jones, was also a nice find from the junior-college ranks.

Considering the fact that the new staff had less than two months to put a class together, barring any Signing Day calamities, this one has to be considered a success.

ASSESSING SOUTH CAROLINA’S 2016 CLASS

Current commits or enrollees: 27 (3.1 star average)
Remaining targets: DE Karamo Dioubate, DE Mykelle McDaniel, DT Jamil Dukes, WR Keil Pollard and WR Jeriko Morris
National/SEC rank: 29/10

NOTABLE COMMITS