Jan. 11, 2010

Three new football players began attending classes at the University of South Carolina on Monday, it was announced today. The trio includes junior college transfer Toquavius Gilchrist, freshman quarterback Connor Shaw and freshman athlete Matt Coffee. All three are expected to be on the roster when spring drills begin.

Gilchrist, a 6-2, 230-pound outside linebacker, played at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kan. in 2009. He recorded 61 tackles, including 45 solo stops. He had 10.5 tackles for loss including 4.5 sacks. He was credited with four pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. The Grizzlies finished the season with an 8-3 record. Gilchrist is a 2008 graduate of Abbeville (S.C.) High where he earned a spot in the 2007 SCADA North-South Game. He redshirted during the 2008 season at Butler County. He will have three years to play three for the Gamecocks.

Shaw, a 6-2, 195-pound signal-caller, threw for 3,100 yards and 30 touchdowns with just six interceptions as a senior at Flowery Branch (Ga.) High School. He also rushed for 800 yards and another 17 scores. His squad finished with a 10-4 record and reached the state semifinals. As a junior, he passed for 2,200 yards and 22 scores while rushing for 941 yards and 11 TDs. He is a brother of Georgia Tech reserve quarterback Jaybo Shaw.

Coffee, a 5-11, 210-pound fullback/linebacker from Mary Esther, Fla. originally signed with the Gamecocks in February 2009 but was not enrolled in school last fall while recovering from a knee injury. He played on both sides of the ball during his prep career at Fort Walton Beach High School. He is the brother of former Alabama running back Glen Coffee.