Top 10 recruits from South Carolina in 2016

Headlined by five-star Clemson commit Tavien Feaster,  a highly-skilled running back, there’s notable talent at the top in the Palmetto State for 2016.

The Gamecocks are high on the list for Javon Kinlaw, a four-star 6-foot-7 offensive tackle from South Carolina prep football power Goose Creek. South Carolina signed current senior tackle Brandon Shell out of the same program in 2011.

Steve Spurrier Jr. has checked in on Kinlaw during basketball season several times:

When prized USC recruit Javon Kinlaw stuffed 6’11 Wando C Matt Pegram- Steve Spurrier Jr. didn’t hold back excitement pic.twitter.com/HnyToup8mi

— Scott Eisberg (@SEisbergWCIV) January 28, 2015

Stephen Davis Jr. (yes, the same Stephen Davis), won’t play running back at Auburn like his father, but he’s just as anxious to star on the Plains as a rangy safety prospect. The ballhawk from Irmo, S.C. committed to the Tigers while Ellis Johnson was still on staff last fall.

UCLA and the in-state Gamecocks remain in pursuit.

Another offensive lineman from Charleston, John Simpson, is reportedly a South Carolina lean. It’s a two-way battle between the Gamecocks and Clemson for his services and he’ll likely take officials to both programs before making a decision.

Simpson has attended Junior Day at Clemson and Mississippi State this month.

On Saturday, Wake Forest became the first major program to offer defensive end Emmanuel Walker, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound pass rusher from Santee. Walker could pick up steam with an impressive senior campaign.

*Already committed.

Brad Crawford