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The race for Emory Jones is shaping up to be a good one. Already, the dual-threat quarterback - ranked #2 in 247's composite ratings of players at that position - has received attention from major programs: Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, and Tennessee are among the schools that have offered the 2018 prospect.
Yesterday, the South Carolina Gamecocks became the latest to land on the list of the signal caller from Franklin, GA, just over an hour from the Auburn campus. Kurt Roper visited Jones' high school to see him and offer him in person.
Blessed & honored to say I just received an offer from The University Of South Carolina ❗️❗️
— Emory Jones (@eXjones6) May 4, 2016
#13 #WECOCKY pic.twitter.com/AQ4TPNUGh9
The Gamecocks' quarterback situation will include Jake Bentley, Brandon McIlwain and Lorenzo Nunez once Jones hits his campus of choice, but with two other 2018 QBs being offered in Jack West and Artur Sitkowski, Carolina is looking to shore the position up for the future. That said, whoever lands this kid will be landing quite a catch. Jones features a tall, thin frame at 6'4" and 180 pounds, but that 180 will increase when he hits a college weight room and muscles up. He has even drawn comparisons to Clemson QB Deshaun Watson.
The current situation as far as Jones is concerned doesn't look good for Gamecocks fans. However, the recruiting game is constantly in flux, and although Jones may have another school in mind, Will Muschamp and the staff is sure to continue to be in his ear for the next couple of years.
Oklahoma DE grabs Wednesday offer
The Gamecocks are looking to grab a kid from the Sooners' backyard. Isaiah Thomas, a Tulsa product, received an offer from South Carolina yesterday, his 17th. Gaining Thomas' services might be a long shot as the rising senior named Oklahoma his leader a few weeks ago.
2018 Fla. DE gets call
Armwood (Fla.) Malcolm Lamar hasn't received a lot of attention thus far, but he picked up an offer from South Carolina yesterday. Lamar, who has also been offered by Louisville and USF, put up a promising stat line this past fall as he was good for 29 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and a pair of sacks. A solid junior year will put him on the track to receiving some more love from major-conference schools - especially as part of a perennially strong program like Armwood, the state runner-up in Class 6A football three years in a row - so the Gamecocks are looking to get in ahead of everyone else. Keep an eye on this kid.
2018 Fla. WR picks up offer
It turns out that the Gamecocks were busy in the Sunshine State yesterday. South Carolina was one of two schools to offer 2018 Jacksonville (Fla.) Providence wideout Will Mallory on Wednesday (the other being Mississippi State). Despite the offer, it's likely Mallory doesn't have the Gamecocks high on his list. His father, Mike, is a former Michigan linebacker who is currently the special teams coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. No Florida schools have offered the younger Mallory yet, so we'll see if that tips the scales for the young man. Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Duke, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt currently make up Mallory's other offers.