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A lot of South Carolina Gamecocks recruiting news is on the docket this Friday: first, in case you missed it yesterday, the program received a commitment from Atlanta tight end Robert Tucker. Aside from that, the Gamecocks offered several players from the class of 2017 and saw a planned visitor announce that he was unable to make it.
--First, we'll start with the offers. Sherrod Greene, a linebacker from Rocky Mount (N.C.), added to his list yesterday. Greene, who called the offer (his first from an SEC school) "overwhelming", gave us a little peek as to how he might be utilized if he selects the Gamecocks, saying that he might play OLB and safety in the team's nickel package. Charlotte, ECU, North Carolina, N.C. State, Old Dominion and Virginia Tech are Greene's other offers.
--The team also offered Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley ATH Brelin Faison-Walden. Faison-Walden is the class of 2017's 27th rated athlete (Rivals), the 22nd ranked safety at 247, and holds Alabama, Appalachian State, Charlotte, ECU, N.C. State and Virginia Tech among his offers.
--The team's third and final offer of the day went to Leroy Henley. Henley, from Fort Lauderdale's Cardinal Gibbons, now holds a total of 28 offers.
Visits
Here's who will be in town for the Gamecocks this weekend:
Stephen Davis Jr. - UNDECIDED - The four-star ATH from the Columbia area has no other visits scheduled after this one, so it might be the staff's last big chance to woo him before National Signing Day. Of note: Davis was committed to Auburn up until last September, when he reopened his recruitment. He did visit the Tigers last week before hosting Gus Malzahn, Kevin Steele (Will Muschamp's successor as DC), and DL coach Rodney Garner on Tuesday. Ideally, of course, the Gamecocks would love to have him stay home and make a name for himself in his backyard.
Tyren Jones - UNDECIDED - A former Alabama running back originally from the Atlanta area might be on commitment watch for the Gamecocks as Bobby Bentley is his primary recruiter. Jones was the #8 RB in the class of 2013 and signed with the Tide before being dismissed from the program after being found in possession of marijuana. If the program is able to land him, it would be a huge get.
Javon Wims - COMMITTED TO GEORGIA - Wims, who went the JUCO route after graduating high school in 2015, visited Mark Richt and Miami (Fla.) last week and has a visit to Athens pending next week, where he'll meet with Kirby Smart and the new staff. The fact that Wims didn't withdraw his commitment when Richt was fired could be a bad sign for the Gamecocks as they look to work him and flip his commitment. We probably won't hear a final decision until after his Georgia visit.
Yafari "Shai" Werts - COMMITTED TO GEORGIA SOUTHERN - An under-the-radar recruit, Werts is listed as an athlete but is being recruited as a quarterback. South Carolina has not offered as of yet.
Chavis Dawkins - COMMITTED TO SOUTH CAROLINA - Dawkins' commitment was a surprise as a late Gamecocks offer just hours before he was to commit to N.C. State was enough to change his mind. Now that the WR is in the fold, he'll get a chance to meet with the coaching staff in person.
Rico Dowdle - COMMITTED TO SOUTH CAROLINA - Dowdle, who pledged back on the 8th, will provide a great deal of versatility to the offense. He'll get a chance to meet with the staff and take things in as he prepares for his college career in Columbia.
Griffin Gentry - COMMITTED TO SOUTH CAROLINA - Gentry, a pledge since flipping from Troy in November, will be making the trip over from Birmingham today. He did take an unofficial in November.
Darius Whitfield - COMMITTED TO SOUTH CAROLINA - Whitfield was thought to be an Alabama lean early in his recruitment, but as time went on and as he weighed his options, the Gamecocks received his commitment back in October - just hours after Steve Spurrier resigned from the program. He originally planned to visit last weekend but will be present this time around.
Not making the trip: Allen Cater, who has cancelled due to "certain circumstances":
— Mr.Cater (@3_AC_) January 22, 2016
Also unable to make it: Jordan Johnson. The O-guard, targeted by Carolina, is no longer on their radar.
We think that's it. Like we said, a lot of things to cover today. You should follow us for breaking recruiting news and updates - if you want to, that is.