The Feed Pail: South Carolina football boasting strong in-state recruits for 2017 class

One important aspect of the 2017 recruiting class was the number of in-state recruits that Will Muschamp was able to bring into the fold. That bodes well for bigger in-state names in 2018: Xavier Thomas, Dakereon Joyner, and, if you consider North Carolina as “in-state” like Muschamp does, Dax Hollifield.

SEC Country broke it down:

South Carolina signed 11 players from the Palmetto State in 2017, making up almost half of its 24-person recruiting class. Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Wando wide receiver OrTre Smith was the state’s top-ranked player and he signed with the Gamecocks, as did second-ranked Shi Smith (Union wide receiver) and third-ranked Brad Johnson (Pendleton defensive end)

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The South Carolina coach said on signing day that he considers recruiting North Carolina to be recruiting in-state “because of the proximity to Charlotte.” The Gamecocks signed three from North Carolina in 2017, offensive lineman Eric Douglas, linebacker Sherrod Green and safety Jaylin Dickerson, who already is on campus and Muschamp said “can help us immediately.”

There are obviously a lot of big fish to be reeled in during the next cycle, so as things progress, we’ll see who Muschamp makes a priority.

More football links

Former Tennessee standout Corey Miller has joined the staff as a strength coach (SEC Country)

Muschamp supports redshirt rule change (SEC Country)

How many defensive players will the Gamecocks take in next year? (SEC Country)

You’ll be sick to your stomach or flat-out angry when you see where Columbia ranked among football cities vs. Clemson. (South Strand News)

Tough news from Rock Hill, where Jadeveon Clowney’s father has pled guilty to a 2015 strip club shooting and could get up to 35 years in jail. (The Herald)

Women’s basketball

Make it three in a row for the South Carolina women’s basketball team as they knocked off Auburn last night. As James pointed out in his preview yesterday, the Gamecocks entered the game having won 20 games for the sixth straight year. That’s pretty good! Last night’s win also puts Dawn Staley at 209 wins, nineteen away from tying Nancy Wilson atop the all-time leaderboard (it took Wilson 13 wins to get there. Staley might get there early next year)

Last night’s recaps: GABA, GamecocksOnline, The State, TheBigSpur, TDG

Next up for Carolina: UConn. UConn being good at women’s basketball is sort of a death and taxes situation these days. You might have heard already, but Geno Auriemma and his crew haven’t lost a game since November 17, 2014 against then-#6 Stanford, 88-86 in overtime. (They play SMU tomorrow, who they beat 88-48 earlier this year in Dallas, in search for consecutive win #99.) They’ve also won the last four national titles, if you still doubt the fact that they’re good at putting the ball into the round sphere with a net attached. It seems that the Huskies haven’t rebuilt, but have reloaded.

By the way, this familiar face happened to be behind the mic as the color commentator for the Gamecocks’ SEC Network+ broadcast!

Men’s Basketball

—Here’s a recap of last week’s annual Legends’ Weekend over at GamecocksOnline. I have a feeling one Number 0 will be part of this event in the future.

—Speaking of Thornwell, he’s a part of the Naismith Award’s Top 30. (GABA)

—Let’s talk about Frank Martin’s son and the possibility of him playing at South Carolina. (TBS)

—This year’s team is in much better shape than this time last year when it comes to NCAA Tournament projections. There are numbers to prove it! (TBS)

Baseball

—Baseball’s been picked to finish second in the SEC East, and that fact alone should put Chad Holbrook on the hot seat*. Florida’s been picked #1. We’ll be breaking out our previews next week to get you ready for Friday’s series opener against UNCG and the possibility of heavy doses of #FireHolbrook Twitter. (*this is sarcasm)

—Catch the guys at a scrimmage this weekend before the games start for real next week.

And more!

—Softball season starts today - our preview (including quotes from coach Beverly Smith) is live now. The ladies play Ohio (3pm) and Presbyterian (5:30pm) today before facing Longwood (tomorrow 3pm), Presbyterian (Sunday 12:30pm) and Charlotte (Sunday 3pm). All the games stream over on SEC Network+.

—Men’s soccer will be getting after it this weekend to start their spring season. Spring soccer doesn’t count, but it gives fans a chance to see the team hit the field during their offseason training.

—Track’s at Clemson this weekend for the Tiger Paw Invitational.

—Women’s golf (ranked #13) kicks off the spring down in Tallahassee for the Florida State Match-Up. Senior Katelyn Dambaugh was considering turning pro a few months ago, which is a good problem to have.

—Men’s tennis takes on S.C. State and Old Dominion at home today.