The Feed Pail: Crootin’ updates and other stuff

Welcome back to the feed pail, where we take a look around the internet for some choice South Carolina Gamecocks tidbits and share them back here with you. On the menu this afternoon:

Jadeveon Clowney called South Carolina recruit Rick Sandidge — Josh Kendall, The State

This is a pretty neat story: JD reached out to Sandidge via Marcus Lattimore while the highly-sought after defensive tackle was visiting Columbia yesterday. Sandidge also gave an update on his recruitment, which is coming down to the wire between the Gamecocks, Georgia, and his native North Carolina (though the Tar Heels appear to be a distant third):

“They are saying I’m a priority. They said I will play for sure. It’s just a matter of how much I play,” he said. “I have a good relationship with the coaches and players, but I can say that about Georgia, too. The only thing I’m worried about at Georgia is I know I’m going to get playing time, but my chances of getting a lot of playing time is less than at South Carolina.”

If you’re into that kind of thing, 247Sports’ Crystal Ball currently projects Sandidge to become a Gamecock next week on National Signing Day. He would certainly be a crown jewel of the 2018 recruiting class.

No waiting: Instant impact freshman for the top 25 teams — ESPN

ESPN’s already put together an early preseason Top 25, and the Gamecocks juuuust made the list at No. 25. Incoming cornerback Jaycee Horn gets the nod as South Carolina’s player to watch:

With three starting seniors gone from the secondary, there’s plenty of room for freshman defensive backs to play quickly -- something that’s a common occurrence under Will Muschamp. Horn, the 18th-ranked cornerback in the nation, figures to be in the mix to get on the field early.

Jermaine Couisnard commits to South Carolina — Evan Daniels, 247Sports

Turns out football isn’t the only sport with recruiting news right now: Gamecock men’s basketball added this 6-foot-4 guard out of Montverde (Fla.) Prep, who is their first commitment for the 2018 class.

Stephon Gilmore ready to face off with good friend Alshon Jeffery — Jeff Howe, Boston Herald

The Super Bowl media circus officially started with player availability yesterday, and for the first time in their NFL careers, former Gamecock teammates Gilmore and Jeffery will be going at it.

“He’s a tough guy to cover,” Gilmore said. “Anytime we did one-on-ones in practice, we were the first ones up. We always competed against each other. It was two of the best players competing every day.

“It was competitive. You’ve got to fight. We used to go at it and get into it in practice. It was fun. We pushed each other every day. Anytime you go against a good guy in practice every day, it gets you ready for the games.”

Jeffery merely conceded, “There were some pretty good battles.”

It’s going to be a lot of fun watching this play out.

Panthers bringing back Travelle Wharton as a coach — Darin Gantt, NBC Sports

Former South Carolina lineman Travelle Wharton, who was a Panthers third-round pick in 2004 and played 10 seasons before retiring in 2014, will rejoin the organization as an assistant offensive line coach. Wharton enjoyed a solid career with the Panthers as a player, so it’s cool to see him get this opportunity.

Watch former Gamecock PJ Dozier throw down dunks, put up stats in big night — Ben Breiner, The State

While the former South Carolina standout has yet to play in a regular-season NBA game, he tore it up for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G-League affiliate last night with 26 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Hopefully this can be a springboard for him.