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In-state WR Diondre Champaigne commits to South Carolina football; John Simpson, T.J. Brunson to do the same soon?

A Lowcountry WR committed to the Gamecocks, while one of their LB targets reopened his recruitment today.

By Sydney Hunte
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

The South Carolina Gamecocks added to their 2016 class today - and may be on the verge of nabbing another player or two.

North Charleston (S.C.) Fort Dorchester wide receiver Diondre Champaigne verbally committed to South Carolina today, becoming the 15th current high school senior to pledge to the Gamecocks. Champaigne, standing at 6'3" and weighing 180 pounds, held UMass and FCS team Western Carolina among his other offers - but two days after South Carolina extended one of their own, he made his decision to remain in the Palmetto State and play for Will Muschamp.

Champaigne's commitment is of interest because he is a teammate of big-time offensive guard John Simpson. Simpson, the #11 guard in the country and the #3 player in South Carolina regardless of position (according to Rivals), is still mulling a host of offers and will decide after January 6's U.S. Army All American Bowl. Doubtless that Champaigne and the Gamecocks staff will be working Simpson to head to Columbia as well over the next number of weeks. I'd also keep an eye on Dakereon Joyner, another Fort Dorchester product. The sophomore ATH holds offers from Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee - among others - but is expected to blow up even more as time goes on.

Another name to watch is T.J. Brunson. After his introductory press conference, Will Muschamp took the short drive from Williams-Brice Stadium to Brunson's high school, Richland Northeast, to check on the three-star linebacker (ranked as the #14 player in the state by Rivals). Brunson has now reopened his recruitment after originally committing to Louisville.

Along with South Carolina and Louisville, Brunson currently holds offers from Appalachian State, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, North Carolina and N.C. State. Barring a late move by another program, I expect him to remain in town and choose the Gamecocks when he makes his decision next month.

The Gamecocks also extended an offer to a junior in-state wideout. Cam Bent, from Bluffon, received the word today.

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