Steve Spurrier has had a big job ahead of him recruiting-wise, because as it turns out, if you imply that you might be sticking around for only two or three more years, it might (will) hurt you on the trail. (Cue yesterday's spur-of-the-moment, "clear the air" press conference.) But he's got a big weekend ahead of him: the inaugural Gamecock Cookout. More on that invite-only recruit event tomorrow.
Here's a few notes and notes just ahead of the weekend:
--The Gamecocks probably weren't thought to have a big chance at Atlanta-area running back Elijah Holyfield despite being in his top ten, but they're still in the running for now. Holyfield revealed his top five with an interview with Scout.com this evening, and the Gamecocks are there with Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee. Rivals and 247Sports have him at #5 and #6 in the country—respectively—among all RBs and top-20 overall in the state of Georgia. Holyfield isn't expected to be at the cookout this weekend, but did tweet that he would announce his decision on September 4.
--Meanwhile, the Gamecocks landed on another top recruit's list. North Charleston (S.C.) Fort Dorchester offensive lineman John Simpson released his top seven yesterday, and USC is among them. Simpson, ranked as the nation's 18th-ranked guard on Rivals and a top-five player overall in the state of South Carolina on both Rivals and 247Sports, will be in town this weekend for the cookout.
--Another recruit (among many) that will be there will be Nyles Pinckney. Although he claims not to have a favorite between Clemson and USC as of now, he's being considered a strong Clemson lean. The defensive tackle is right below Simpson on the state rankings at Rivals (5th on 247) and is a top-30 DT nationally on both services.