All recruits for this year’s signing class have been officially signed. We hope you enjoyed following all the action here on GamecocksOnline.com. Go Gamecocks!

Press Conference Photos

Signee Info in PDF Format | Press Conference Quotes

Coach Spurrier Talking With CBS College Sports’ Tracy Wolfson

Time	Name	Pos.	Hgt.	Wgt.	Hometown	Last School
Here	Josh Dickerson	LB	6-2	217	Kingsland, Ga.	Georgia Military College
Here	Jarvis Giles	RB	5-11	176	Tampa, Fla.	Gaither
Here	Stephon Gilmore	DB	6-2	181	Rock Hill, S.C.	South Pointe
Here	Devonte Holloman	DB	6-2	210	Rock Hill, S.C.	South Pointe
Here	Tony Straughter	LB	6-0	215	Madison, Fla.	Georgia Military College
Here	Chaz Sutton	DL	6-4	236	Savannah, Ga.	Fork Union Military
—–	Ronald Byrd	DL	6-6	285	LaGrange, Ga.	Fork Union Military
7:05 am	Andrew Clifford	QB	6-3	215	Tampa Fla.	Wharton
7:05 am	DaMario Jeffery	DB	6-4	215	Columbia, S.C.	Columbia
7:05 am	Chris Payne	DB	5-10	173	Columbia, S.C.	Columbia
7:30 am	Matt Coffee	LB	5-11	210	Mary Esther, Fla.	Ft. Walton Beach
7:30 am	DeMario Bennett	WR	6-3	185	Douglas, Ga.	Coffee County
7:30 am	Alshon Jeffery	WR	6-3	217	St. Matthews, S.C.	Calhoun County
8:05 am	D.J. Swearinger	DB	5-11	196	Greenwood, S.C.	Greenwood
8:20 am	Rokevious Watkins	OL	6-4	340	Fairburn, Ga.	Georgia Military College
8:40 am	Aldrick Fordham	DL	6-4	234	Saint Stephen, S.C.	Timberland
8:40 am	Corey Addison	DB	5-11	177	Jacksonville, Fla.	Andrew Jackson
8:50 am	Leon Mackey	DL	6-6	260	Wilmington, Del.	Hargrave Military Academy
9:00 am	Chaun Gresham	LB	6-3	205	Auburn, Ga.	Apalachee
9:25 am	Lamar Scruggs	WR	6-3	212	Jacksonville Beach, Fla.	Duncan U. Fletcher
9:30 am	Nick Allison	OL	6-4	285	Asheville, N.C.	T.C. Roberson
9:30 am	Ben Axon	RB	6-1	195	Bradenton, Fla.	Manatee
9:35 am	DeAngelo Smith	WR	6-0	170	Kingsland, Ga.	Camden County
9:36 am	Quin Smith	LB	6-0	205	Lenoir, N.C.	Hibriten
10:47 am	Justice Cunningham	TE	6-3	242	Pageland, S.C.	Central
11:30 am	Charles Holmes	WR	6-3	190	Rock Hill, S.C.	South Pointe
3:00 pm	Duane Chisolm	DL	6-2	256	Beaufort, S.C.	Beaufort
3:12 pm	Jimmy Legree	DB	6-0	170	Beaufort, S.C.	Beaufort
4:08 pm	Steven Singleton	OL	6-3	300	Buford, Ga.	Georgia Military College

 

Press Conference Quotes

Head Coach Steve Spurrier

“We feel like we had a very strong year. We really feel like there are a lot of reasons that we had a strong group. Right now, I think I saw on the TV that it was ranked 12th in the country. What was so encouraging was that we were able to hold on to all of our committed guys throughout the year and through the postseason. Obviously we didn’t finish very strongly, had some lousy games toward the end but our players didn’t waver and they all signed up today. I have to credit our coaching staff, our guys have really shown recruits that, `Hey we’re going to be here and we can win at South Carolina. You can graduate from this place.’ Also the facility improvements around here are still progressing. Our brand new (athletic) training room was finished right at the end of December and we were able to show recruits that. Our new academic enrichment center, `The Dodie,’ thanks to Dodie Anderson, who contributed the money for this building, it will be ready in about a year. So facility-wise, (athletics director) Eric Hyman and the Gamecock boosters have really done a super job of getting things in place in where we can compete at the highest level.

“I think it is interesting to note that this year it might have been one of the best years for in-state players. In-state, we were able to keep players here to play at the University of South Carolina. Certainly that is a big plus. The state of Georgia and the state of Florida were our other two big states and that is probably the way it is going to continue with a few guys coming out of North Carolina (as well). South Carolina, Georgia, Florida are probably going to be the best states for us to recruit with players here and there from the other states.

“I think the recruiting class this year, probably highlighted by Stephon Gilmore, the player of the year here in South Carolina and his teammate DeVonte Holloman. They are both in school and certainly Ellis Johnson did a super job of recruiting those guys and making sure they were here in January. Jarvis Giles, the running back from Tampa is also in school and was also a big pickup for us. Today, Alshon Jeffery from Calhoun County, 35-40 miles from here, ranked as the No. 1 or No. 2 player in the state, along with Stephon, came with us. It is a very solid recruiting class. We missed a few guys here and there but not too many. We brought in 31 players on official visits and 27 signed.

“I think one other area we have not talked about, is our players. Current players have to be good recruiters and they have to believe in their program and I know that on Alshon’s visit, he was around a bunch of our players and several of these other guys. Certainly, that was instrumental, your players believe in what is going on and they’re excited about workouts and tell these recruits to come on and we can get something done here. Give credit to our players. The ones we have here now have a wonderful attitude. It’s the best attitude in a long time. Craig Fitzgerald, our strength and conditioning coach, he said that of all the 6 a.m. workouts, we have had 100 percent attendance. I never have been able to say that since I’ve been here. We do have a wonderful attitude and our players demonstrated that on the visit.”

Recruiting Coordinator Shane Beamer

(On focus of recruiting this year)
“We wanted to go out and target some specific positions. Obviously, linebacker position, losing some guys there, losing a Jasper Brinkley and a Marvin Sapp, we wanted to go out and be able to sign some linebackers and we did that. We did that if you look at the linebacker and safety position. A guy that can go out in space and cover a receiver but is big enough, tough enough to go in the box and stop the run. We needed some game-breaking type running backs. We felt like we did that with the two guys we signed. Receiver position, we needed to upgrade and we signed five really good ones. We went into it this year, position specific, we try to every year, but this year we really wanted to do a good job targeting those positions.”

(On the signing of Leon Mackey)
“I was aware of Leon, obviously, through his connection out at Virginia Tech. My dad (Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer) and I had a little bit of communication with him but he and I don’t talk a lot of recruiting. He doesn’t talk a lot about what is going on with them and we don’t talk a lot about what is going on here. We had coaches on our staff that had connections with him and were aware of him. Lorenzo Ward had some connections with him and had recruited Hargrave Military Academy. At the end of the day, it didn’t work out for him at Virginia Tech. I don’t want to get involved with specifics. I know he is a young man, I talked to my dad about him about 30 minutes ago, and he wishes him nothing but the best. No problem there, no hard feelings, it’s the best for both sides and we are excited about getting him. He is going to be a great player and great addition to our program.”

(On the success of this year’s recruiting class)
“I think every year is a little different. It starts with your head coach. Coach Spurrier has been awesome throughout this process. He’s a head coach that is willing to get out and work. He did that.”

(On Alshon Jeffery’s recruitment)
“There was a lot to it. He’s, first and foremost, a great young man. The thing that I admire about Alshon, and I’ve told him this on more than one occasion, is that throughout this recruiting process, he has never changed. It would have been easy for a guy from St. Matthews, S.C., that has all these people pulling at him, all this attention nationally, to become a different person and let it go to his head. He never did. He is the exact same young man since the day we offered him a scholarship. I think the biggest thing was developing a relationship. He has a great support group at Calhoun County HS. Coach Wilson was a guy that went to all the visits with him and Alshon trusts him and the rest of that coaching staff and Zam Fredrick, Sr., the head basketball coach there, was a great sounding board as well. At the end of the day, it was a total team effort. It worked out well in the end for us.”

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Junior college transfer from Georgia Military College where he played for head coach Bert Williams… played in eight games posting 30 tackles, 3.0 sacks and a fumble recovery… helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-1 regular season finish and a spot in the 2008 Mississippi Bowl, where they were defeated by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College… recorded 32 tackles and four sacks as a freshman in 2007… considered a four-star prospect and the 41st-best junior college prospect in the country by Rivals.com… considered the 47th-best junior college player in the country according to SuperPrep… also had offers from Ole Miss, Tennessee, Minnesota, East Carolina and West Virginia… graduated from Camden County High School in Kingsland, Ga… played at Georgia Military College with South Carolina signees Tony Straughter, Steven Singleton and Rokevious Watkins.

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January enrollee at South Carolina… played for head coach Mark Kantor at Tampa’s Gaither High School… rushed for over 1,500 yards as a senior… selected to participate in the Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando… rushed for 1,478 yards on 238 carries (6.2 yards per carry) with 20 touchdowns as a junior in 2007… a Rivals.com four-star prospect who was rated as the No. 22 player in the state of Florida and the No. 3 all-purpose back by the website… considered a four-star prospect and the nation’s 35th-best running back according to Scout.com… considered the state’s 29th-best player by SuperPrep… listed among both Rivals.com and PrepStar’s Top 250… selected South Carolina over an original commitment to Tennessee and Nebraska among others.

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Enrolled at Carolina in January… earned first-team all-state honors by The State as a senior playing for head coach Bobby Carroll at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill… named to the prestigious PARADE All-America team and was a first-team All-American by EA Sports… named Mr. Football for the state of South Carolina… helped his team to a perfect 15-0 record and the South Carolina AAAA Division II title as a senior… rushed for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns and passed for 1,771 yards with 14 scores… rushed for 119 yards and three TDs and passed for 69 yards and another score in the state championship game win over Northwestern… played quarterback in the 72nd Shrine Bowl Game of the Carolinas… rushed for 71 yards and passed for 28 more to lead the Sandlappers to a come-from-behind victory over the Tar Heels, earning Offensive MVP honors… selected to participate in the Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando… surpassed the 1,000-yard mark both passing and rushing in 2007… a four-star prospect who was the second-best prospect in the state of South Carolina, the nation’s sixth-best “athlete” and listed 84th overall by Rivals.com… considered a four-star prospect and the nation’s 26th-best cornerback according to Scout.com… listed first among South Carolina players and 48th among SuperPrep’s Elite 50… listed among PrepStar’s Top 250… had offers from more than 30 programs while choosing to play his college ball at Carolina… played with 2009 Gamecock signees DeVonte Holloman and Charles Holmes at South Pointe.

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Enrolled at Carolina in January… transferred to South Pointe for his senior season where he played for head coach Bobby Carroll… named first-team all-state by The State… forced three fumbles and intercepted two passes as a senior… helped his team to a perfect 15-0 record and the South Carolina AAAA Division II title in his final campaign… selected to participate in the Under Armour High School All-American Game in Orlando and in the North-South game… was regarded as the top player in North Carolina as a junior at Charlotte’s Independence High… had 96 tackles and four interceptions as a sophomore and over 50 tackles with two picks as a junior while also playing quarterback… four-star prospect who was rated the 10th-best outside linebacker in the nation and the seventh-best prospect in the state of South Carolina by Rivals.com… a five-star prospect and the nation’s second-best safety according to Scout.com… considered the state’s sixth-best player by SuperPrep… listed among both Rivals.com and PrepStar’s Top 250… picked South Carolina over Clemson, North Carolina, LSU and Tennessee… played with 2009 Gamecock signees Stephon Gilmore and Charles Holmes at South Pointe.

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Four-star prospect from Milledgeville (GA) Georgia Military College… played weakside linebacker for head coach Bert Williams… racked up 44.5 tackles on the season including 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks… named to the first-team JC Gridwire All-America team… helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-1 regular season finish and a spot in the 2008 Mississippi Bowl, where they were defeated by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College… had 10 tackles including three for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the bowl game, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors… as a freshman in 2007 he recorded 30 tackles in 10 games… considered the 11th-best junior college player in the country by Rivals.com… considered the 34th-best junior college player in the country according to SuperPrep… also had offers from East Carolina, Ole Miss, TCU, Tennessee and West Virginia… graduated from Madison County High School in Florida in 2007… teammate of Gamecocks Rokevious Watkins, Steven Singleton and Josh Dickerson at GMC.

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Spent the 2008 season at Fork Union Military… four-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com who was considered the 10th-best prep school prospect in the country… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… played on both sides of the ball at Jenkins High School in Savannah… rushed 75 times for 830 yards, an 11.7 yards per carry average, and logged 85 tackles including six sacks as a junior… considered a four-star prospect coming out of high school… ranked as the No. 6 weakside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com for the 2008 signing class and the 17th-best player in the state of Georgia… Scout.com ranked him as the 37th-best defensive end in the nation… originally signed with the Gamecocks in February of 2008… Chaz E. Sutton was born on September 7, 1989.

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Originally signed with the Gamecocks in February of 2008 before spending the ’08 campaign at Fork Union Military in Virginia… played for head coach John Shuman… listed as a four-star prospect according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com… considered the 15th-best prep school prospect in the country by Rivals.com… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… was an all-area selection as a high school offensive lineman at Callaway High School in Hogansville, Ga… tallied 45 tackles including seven sacks during his senior year… considered a three-star prospect coming out of high school… Ronald D. Byrd was born August 13, 1990… selected South Carolina over Arkansas, Auburn, Indiana, Louisville and Purdue among others.

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As a senior at Wharton High in Tampa, finished as the third-leading passer in Hillsborough County with 2,263 yards passing and 20 touchdowns… also rushed for 10 touchdowns as a senior… passed for over 3,700 yards and 30 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Wharton… played for head coach David Mitchell… considered a two-star prospect and the 125th-best quarterback prospect in the country by Scout.com… participated in the EA Sports regional Elite 11 quarterback camp at the University of Alabama… grew up as a Florida fan as his dad, Tom, played fullback and tight end for the Gators from 1973-75… two of his uncles played at Clemson and two played at The Citadel… two of his uncles are high school coaches — Mark Clifford at Beaufort (S.C.) and John Clifford at P.K. Yonge in Gainesville, Fla., a program that sent several players to Coach Spurrier’s Florida teams… interested in a degree in marketing… also had offers from Liberty, Charleston Southern and several Division II schools.

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Local product from Columbia High School whose senior season was cut short by a torn ACL… coached by Kember Amick… selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game but was unable to participate due to the injury… recorded 109 tackles, five interceptions, four sacks and five blocked punts as a junior in 2007… rated the seventh-best “athlete,” the 87th-best player in the nation and a four-star prospect by Rivals.com… was also the third-best prospect in the state of South Carolina according to the website… considered a four-star prospect and the 10th-best weakside linebacker in the nation according to Scout.com… considered the state’s fifth-best player by SuperPrep… regarded as the 92nd-best player in the nation by PrepStar… turned down offers from Southern California, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and North Carolina to sign with the Gamecocks… high school teammate of Gamecock signee Chris Payne… runs a 4.5 40 with a 34-inch vertical leap.

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Local product from Columbia High School… coached by Kember Amick… suffered a season-ending ankle injury about halfway through his senior season… had surgery to repair a broken bone and ligament damage… logged 139 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks, five forced fumbles and three interceptions as a junior in 2007… also had 66 carries for 507 yards with six touchdowns… considered the 30th-best safety in the nation, the 16th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com… was a three-star prospect and the nation’s 67th-best safety according to Scout.com.considered the state’s 17th-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… was the first commitment to the 2009 recruiting class… also had offers from Clemson, Michigan State, North Carolina and Oklahoma… high school teammate of Gamecock signee Damario Jeffery… has a 31-inch vertical leap.

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Played on both sides of the ball for head coach Mike Owens at Fort Walton Beach High School in Florida… suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game of his senior season… junior season was limited to the last five games due to illness… still finished with 55 tackles and an interception, while rushing 74 times for 364 yards and four touchdowns… logged 120 tackles and three sacks with two fumble recoveries as a sophomore… considered the 19th-best “athlete” in the country, ranked as the 57th-best player in the state of Florida and was a four-star recruit by Rivals.com… considered a three-star prospect and the nation’s 39th-best strongside linebacker according to Scout.com… named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region squad…Matt is the brother of Alabama running back Glen Coffee… also had offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, NC State and Maryland among others.

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Wide receiver from Coffee County High School in Georgia… considered the 84th-best prospect in the state of Georgia and a two-star prospect by Rivals.com… also considered a two-star prospect and the nation’s 191st-best wide receiver by Scout.com… named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region squad… also considered Arkansas before casting his lot with the Gamecocks.

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Two-way player at Calhoun County High School… named first-team all-state by The State as a defensive back… caught 35 passes for 740 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior… also averaged 65 yards on kickoff returns and 35 yards on punt returns with three touchdowns… totaled 50 tackles on defense… selected to compete in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and in the Under Armour All-American game… logged 910 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns as a junior in 2007… ranked 99th on Rivals.com top 100 list… considered the nation’s 13th-best wide receiver and the fourth-best player in the state of South Carolina by the website… is a four-star recruit and the 22nd-best wide receiver in the nation according to Scout.com… considered the 74th-best player in the nation by PrepStar… considered the fourth-best player in the state of South Carolina by SuperPrep… ranked 103rd on the ESPNU 150… also was a standout on the basketball court… originally committed to Southern California and also considered Tennessee… also had offers from Florida, Kentucky, Florida State and others.

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Two-way starter at Greenwood High… rushed for 904 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior quarterback and caught 20 passes for 210 yards as a receiver… also logged 77 tackles, broke up eight passes and caused two fumbles as a safety… a second-team all-state selection by The State… had an interception in the Shrine Bowl Game of the Carolinas… logged 516 yards rushing and 9 TDs with 93 tackles and an interception as a junior… rushed for 400 yards and logged 68 tackles and five interceptions as a sophomore… three-star prospect who was considered the 20th-best safety in the nation and the 14th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina by Rivals.com… a two-star prospect and the nation’s 176th-best safety according to Scout.com… considered the state’s ninth-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… full name is Dayario Jamal Swearinger… originally committed to Tennessee and also had an offer from North Carolina among others.

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Played junior college ball at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville… played for Bert Williams… helped pave the way for a Bulldogs rushing attack that managed to post over 180 yards a game on the ground… considered a three-star prospect by Scout.com and a two-star prospect by Rivals.com… considered the 26th-best junior college player in the country according to SuperPrep… also had an offer from UAB… graduated from Creekside High School in Georgia… teammate of Gamecocks Steven Singleton, Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson at GMC.

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Two-way performer and a three-year starter for head coach Art Craig at Timberland High School… earned first-team all-state honors by The State after his senior season… racked up 11 sacks and 83 tackles including 13 for loss… helped his squad reach the state AA semifinals in his final campaign… played tight end in the North-South All-Star Game… recorded 58 tackles and six sacks as a junior… also excelled on the basketball court where he was an all-state selection and the region Player of the Year as a junior… rated as the 47th-best rush end in the country, the 25th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com… considered a four-star prospect and the nation’s 15th-best defensive end according to Scout.com… considered the state’s 22nd-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… turned down an offer from Tennessee to sign with the Gamecocks.

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Two-way player at Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville… played both quarterback and safety… logged over 150 tackles and six interceptions over his final two seasons… participated in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic following his senior season… had 77 tackles and three interceptions as a junior… three-star prospect, considered the 21st-best safety in the nation and the 68th-best prospect in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… a three-star prospect and considered the 90th-best safety in the nation by Scout.com… considered the state’s 91st-best player according to SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region squad… also considered UCF, Florida, Miami and a host of others before committing to Carolina.

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Spent the 2008 campaign at Hargrave Military where he was considered a four-star prospect by Scout.com… also a four-star recruit and considered the ninth-best prep school player in the country by Rivals.com… selected Carolina after originally committing to Clemson and turning down offers from Virginia Tech, Arkansas and North Carolina among others… was a high school standout at Christina High School in Delaware before transferring to Hargrave Military for his senior season… originally signed with Virginia Tech but failed to qualify academically… born February 28, 1989.

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Played for head coach Shane Davis at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga… the Wildcats went 7-4 in his senior season, the winningest season in school history (they began competing at the varsity level in 2000)… recorded a team-leading 96 tackles including 16 tackles for loss in his final campaign… logged 84 tackles as a sophomore and 112 as a junior, including 13 tackles for loss… returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Monroe Area in 2006… three-star prospect who was rated as the 55th-best outside linebacker in the nation and the 64th-best prospect in the state of Georgia by Rivals.com… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 35th-best strongside linebacker according to Scout.com… considered the state’s 39th-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region squad… is the nephew of Gamecock great George Rogers… also had offers from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Clemson and originally committed to Georgia Tech before selecting the Gamecocks.

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Three year varsity starter at T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville… coached by Jim Beatty… selected to play in the 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior season… helped his squad go 13-2 and into the fourth round of the 3AA state playoffs in 2007… rated the 46th-best offensive guard in the nation, the 18th-best player in the state of North Carolina and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com… is a two-star prospect and the nation’s 56th-best offensive guard according to Scout.com… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… also had strong interest from Clemson, North Carolina, NC State and Tennessee before casting his lot with the Gamecocks.

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Played for head coach Joe Kinnan at Manatee High School in Bradenton… ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a senior… earned 2007 Class 5A honorable mention all-state honors for the Hurricanes after rushing for 1,026 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior… rated as a four-star prospect and the nation’s 31st-best running back and the 54th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… was a three-star prospect and the nation’s 87th-best running back according to Scout.com… considered the state’s 60th-best player according to SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region squad… originally committed to Clemson and also considered Florida State, Purdue and West Virginia among others before choosing Carolina.

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Played for coach Jeff Herron at Camden County High School in Kingsland, Ga… played in a Wing-T offense… helped his squad to the Georgia Class AAAAA state title… hauled in 21 passes for 286 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior… also played basketball for Camden County… ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com… considered the 249th-best wide receiver in the nation and a two-star prospect by Scout.com… named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region squad… grew up in Charleston, S.C… selected South Carolina over offers from Indiana and East Carolina among others.

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Played for coach Joe Reynolds at Duncan U. Fletcher High School… logged over 800 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 38 receptions as a senior… helped his team to its first undefeated regular season in school history… was a North/South All-Star selection… finished his junior campaign with 35 catches for over 600 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping his squad post a 9-3 record… as a sophomore in 2006 he caught 23 passes for 536 yards and seven scores… considered a four-star recruit, the 46th-best wide receiver in the country and the 59th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… given a three-star rating and considered the nation’s 54th-best wide receiver by Scout.com… named to the All-Southeast Region team by SuperPrep.com… Lamar Scruggs was born April 1, 1990… was the homecoming king at his high school… considers Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald as his favorite player and wears the number 11 in his honor… visited Illinois, Ole Miss and South Florida… also had offers from Florida, Tennessee and West Virginia among others.

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Two-way player at Hibriten High School in Lenoir, N.C… as a fullback he rushed 233 times for 1,580 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior, including a 238-yard effort in the state playoffs… also averaged 17 tackles per game with six interceptions and two sacks playing outside linebacker and strong safety… selected to play in the 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… made 182 tackles and four sacks while rushing 176 times for 1,074 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior fullback… considered a three-star prospect and the 59th-best safety in the nation according to Scout.com… is a three-star prospect, the 28th-best player in the state of North Carolina and the 88th-best outside linebacker in the nation according to Rivals.com… considered the 25th-best player in the state of North Carolina by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… given name is Jocquin Smith… also had an offer from East Carolina with Duke and Navy in the mix.

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Coached by Joey Mangum at Central High School in Pageland, S.C… earned first-team all-state honors as a tight end by The State… helped Central reach the Class AA state finals… caught 21 passes for 400 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior tight end… also logged 92 tackles, seven sacks, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries on defense in 2007… selected to play in the 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… two-sport star in high school as he also excelled on the hardwood…. averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds in hoops as a junior… considered a two-star prospect by Rivals.com as a tight end… considered a two-star prospect and the nation’s 112th-best defensive end by Scout.com… considered the state’s 21st-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad.

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Played for head coach Bobby Carroll at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill… helped his team to a perfect 15-0 record and the South Carolina AAAA Division II title as a senior… caught 47 passes for 890 yards and six touchdowns… was a second-team all-state selection by The State… led the North squad with eight catches for over 100 yards at the North-South All-Star Game… caught 42 passes for 986 yards (23.5 yards per catch) with six touchdowns as a junior… also was a standout on the basketball court… given a two-star rating by both Rivals.com and Scout.com… considered the nation’s 160th-best wide receiver according to Scout.com… considered the state’s 20th-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… played with 2009 Gamecock signees Stephon Gilmore and DeVonte Holloman at South Pointe… has a reported 38-inch vertical leap.

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Played defensive end for head coach Mark Clifford at Beaufort (S.C.) High… missed the second half of his senior season after tearing the ACL in his right knee… had 31 tackles including four sacks prior to the injury… recorded 114 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in 2007 while helping his team to the state AAAA championship game… considered the 13th-best strongside defensive end in the 2009 class, the 12th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina and a four-star prospect by Rivals.com… was a three-star prospect and the nation’s 41st-best defensive end according to Scout.com… considered the state’s 16th-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… also had offers from Clemson, NC State, Florida State and others before choosing the Gamecocks… played prep football with Gamecock teammates Jimmy Legree and Devin Taylor at Beaufort High.

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Three-year starter at Beaufort High School… coached by Mark Clifford… named the 2008 Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet Defensive Player of the Year… played cornerback, quarterback receiver, kick returner and tailback during his prep career… as a senior, had three interceptions, four blocked kicks, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns… selected to play in the 2008 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… recorded 63 tackles, six interceptions and nine breakups as a junior… three-star prospect by Rivals.com and a two-star prospect by Scout.com…considered the state’s 32nd-best player by Rivals.com and the 26th-best player by SuperPrep… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region squad… considered Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Clemson and Maryland before choosing Carolina… high school teammate of Gamecocks Duane Chisolm and Devin Taylor.

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Three-star prospect from Milledgeville (GA) Georgia Military College… played for Bert Williams… helped pave the way for a Bulldogs rushing attack that managed to post over 180 yards a game on the ground… helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-1 regular season finish and a spot in the 2008 Mississippi Bowl, where they were defeated by Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College… will have two years to play two… graduated from Buford (Ga.) High School in 2006… helped lead his team to an undefeated regular season and into the third round of the playoffs… earned first-team all-state honors as a senior and was named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Super Southern 100… was the Gwinnett County Offensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team all-county selection… Steven T. Singleton was born May 20, 1988… originally signed with LSU as a four-star prospect… also considered West Virginia… teammate of Gamecocks Rokevious Watkins, Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson at GMC.

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