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Name: Blake Camper
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight: 6'7, 280 pounds
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Rating: 247Sports: Three Star Rivals: Three Star ESPN: Three Star
Following the decommitments of Paris Palmer and Austin Clark, the coaching staff has been trying to find another tackle to compliment long time commit, Christian Pellage. Camper selected the Gamecocks over offers from the Maryland Terrapins, Louisville Cardinals and interest from the Wisconsin Badgers. His primary recruiter is listed as offensive line coach Shawn Elliot.
Strengths:
One of the biggest strengths for Camper is that he possesses a good frame for a tackle. His height is ideal, and despite the fact that he weighs in at 280 pounds, he possesses a good amount of strength. He also displays good foot movement for his size and is able to keep up with quicker pass rushers. This means that he is very skilled with is pass protection. He also possesses a good pad level and tends to keep a low center of gravity until he starts to block, and uses that to punish the defender and send them five yards away or just put them on the ground.
Weaknesses:
While Camper does posses good pass protection skills, he does need to work on his run blocking. He is usually able to open up a hole for the running back, but he isn't consistent and can send his defender straight in the way of the play. He is also a little inconsistent with his hand placement. He tends to go for the shoulders instead of putting them in the middle of the defender, and this leads to him losing his block on that defender.
Overall:
Camper is a good recruit and will be useful on the offensive line later in career. Since he is on the offensive line, he will need a few years to really develop his body and skills. This is a 100 percent guarantee to redshirt this season, especially with Brandon Shell still playing for the Gamecocks.