Top 10 recruits in South Carolina
To kick off our daily look at top recruits in each SEC state, we’ll stop in South Carolina where the in-state Gamecocks and Georgia have secured commitments from three of the top prospects. Four-star defensive tackle Albert Huggins, the most coveted player in the Lowcountry, remains uncommitted as we near signing day.
Based on 247Sports’ 2015 composite rankings by state, here are South Carolina’s 10 best prospects and where they’re headed:
- Albert Huggins, DT, 6-3, 280, Orangeburg (Four-star, uncommitted)
- Shameik Blackshear, DE, 6-5, 240, Bluffton (Four-star, South Carolina commit) — This pass rushing specialist, considered South Carolina’s top-ranked player by some recruiting services, suffered an ACL tear in September that prematurely ended his senior campaign but is expected to be back at full strength by mid-2015. The South Carolina commit is making sure he doesn’t rush the rehabilitation process.
- Michael Barnett, DE, 6-5, 255, Dorchester (Four-star, Georgia commit) — Barnett surprised most recruiting analysts when he committed to Georgia’s Mike Ekeler and Jeremy Pruitt in September over offers from Florida State, Alabama and Clemson among others. An all-region selection as a junior, Barnett’s continued to wreak havoc in opposing backfields with an impressive frame during his final season.
- Ty’Son Williams, RB, 5-11, 200, Sumter (Four-star, North Carolina commit)
- Zack Bailey, OL, 6-5, 315, Summerville (Four-star, South Carolina commit) — A quick-footed guard out of state power Summerville near Charleston could provide instant impact up front on a Gamecocks offensive line losing a pair of multi-year starters. Bailey’s been committed to South Carolina since February.
- Kelly Bryant, QB, 6-4, 205, Piedmont (Three-star, Clemson commit)
- Rasool Clemons, DE, 6-6, 210, Aiken (Three-star, Virginia commit)
- Johnathan Sutton, LB, 6-0, 215, Swansea (Three-star, North Carolina commit)
- Noah Green, OL, 6-5, 275, Boiling Springs (Three-star, Clemson commit)
- Kaleb Chalmers, CB, 5-11, 170, Greenwood (Three-star, Clemson commit)