Early Signing Day primer: What you need to know about South Carolina's 2023 class
South Carolina’s season recently ended on a high note with victories over Tennessee and Clemson, and the Gamecocks have a lot of momentum heading to the Gator Bowl against Notre Dame in Jacksonville on Dec. 30.
However, some of their momentum might have been diffused with the recent rash of players who have entered the transfer portal, most notably starting running back MarShawn Lloyd. Zacch Pickens, Darius Rush and Cam Smith have also all opted out of playing in the Gator Bowl. Smith is headed for the NFL Draft, and Pickens and Rush could follow him.
Should South Carolina beat Notre Dame, the victory likely will be missing some of the expected luster.
Yet, South Carolina can have a good outlook for the future with its 2023 recruiting class. According to 247Sports, the Gamecocks’ recent 18 recruits rank 20th overall in the country and 8th in the SEC.
Here’s a breakdown of their class:
Highest-rated player(s)
The Gamecocks don’t have a 5-star player, but they do have 9 4-star and 9 3-star players.
Among the more recognizable is 6-3, 300-pound guard Markee Anderson from Roebuck, South Carolina, who reportedly has all the skills of an NFL lineman. Anderson was the No. 2 recruit in the state, according to 247Sports Composite, and he was recruited by 9 Power 5 schools.
Anderson has shown he can easily dominate a game, and he still has unbound potential. He can make a quick adjustment onto the Gamecocks’ line next fall.
Edge rusher Desmond Umeozulu (6-6, 239 pounds) helped C.H. Flowers reach the Maryland state semifinals and to an 11-2 overall record. He has the ideal frame for a pass rusher and can play there in the 240s weight-wise. His attacking style re-directs play along the line of scrimmage, and he has speed to chase down the play from behind.
Running back Dontavious Braswell from Sandersville, Georgia, has been rated as the highest skill player in the class. He is ranked 14th in his class.
Did the Gamecocks bolter their quarterback room?
On the surface, they didn’t. The Gamecocks were in the running for 4-star Dylan Lonergan, but he bolted South Carolina for Alabama.
The key now for the Gamecocks here is new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, who has begun courting incumbent Spencer Rattler. He has hinted toward a move to the transfer portal or the NFL Draft. Yet, Rattler is currently only projected as a 2nd-round pick with a bevy of highly regarded signal-callers ahead of him.
The Gamecocks still could have defections from home-grown Memphis commit Carson Black, as well as LaNorris Sellers, who is a Syracuse commit, Grayson Loftis (Duke) and Raheim Jeter (West Virginia).
Best position group
South Carolina did appear to bolster its defensive line with Umeozulu, along with 6-5, 305-pound defensive lineman Xzaiver McLeod (Camden, South Carolina), 6-5, 262-pound lineman Zavion Hardy (Macon, Georgia) and 6-5, 235-pound edge rusher Monteque Rhames (Manning, South Carolina).
The Gamecocks likely will lose Pickens to the NFL Draft and have lost Gilber Edmond to the transfer portal. All 3 of the recruits could see some significant time next season.
Biggest need(s) filled
With Smith already headed to the Big Show and Rush possibly on the way out, the Gamecocks need some help in the back end of their defense. R.J. Roderick opted out earlier this season, and Joey Hunter and Tyrese Ross also will seek new homes via the portal.
The Gamecocks have commitments from projected safeties/cornerbacks Jaion Kilgore (Eastonton, Georgia), Cameron Upshaw (Taylor County, Florida) and Zahbari Sandy (Washington, D.C.).
South Carolina also lost tight ends Jaheim Bell and Austin Stogner to the portal, and Connor Cox (Jacksonville, Florida) could be a 1st-year difference-maker.
Vicari Swain (Carrollton, Georgia), Kamron Sandlin (Anniston, Alabama), Kelton Henderson (Lehigh Acres, Florida) and Judge Collier (Rock Hill, South Carolina) are all listed as athletes and certainly could fill some possible voids at wide receiver and defensive back.
Biggest potential flip
Swain could be the player who could flip to another school. He is ranked 10th at this position and 23rd overall in the state.
He certainly could make a difference, but Swain also could find himself in a crowded position on both sides of the ball. The Georgia native could easily be lured to the bigger stage in Athens.
Final takeaways on this class
With the Gamecocks’ recent defections and the apparent future ones, this class certainly can make its presence felt.
Anderson, Umeozulu, McLeod and Hardy have high ceilings, and they all should fill some immediate needs. They also will infuse some new blood into a position that needs a boost.
Braswell could play a big role in the running game, especially with Lloyd gone. The safeties/cornerbacks should help the Gamecocks maintain their high level of play there over the past few years.
Overall, it is a defensive-based unit that will help, and they have the potential to produce some early results.