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When Will Muschamp offered Florence, SC native Dorian Gerald in early April, his first from an SEC school, the South Carolina Gamecocks immediately became the early favorite to land the 6-foot-3, 255 pound defensive end.
In the weeks since, Gerald’s recruiting has picked up significantly, with Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Florida State, Louisville, Georgia and Tennessee all extending offers. While he may no longer be a lock to the Gamecocks, he confirmed on Thursday that USC is still a top contender.
“I can let you know that South Carolina’s in my top schools without even thinking about it,” Gerald told GamecockCentral.com.
With three coaches - Muschamp, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson and defensive line coach Lance Thompson - actively recruiting Gerald, he said that he is in touch with at least one of them every day.
Gerald also said that he likes Florida State a lot and that he clicked immediately with Georgia defensive line coach Tray Scott.
In eleven games at College of the Canyon, Gerald accumulated 54 tackles, 24 for loss and a conference-leading 12 sacks. He plans to announce his official top schools around June 1, after he returns home to South Carolina.
Spring Valley LB Channing Tindall earns top 50 ranking by 247Sports
With all of The Opening regional events in the books, 247Sports have adjusted their player rankings.
Though he did not participate in the Charlotte regional, Spring Valley (Columbia, SC) linebacker Channing Tindall was one of the biggest movers. With a 95 score, he is now ranked as the No. 45 overall prospect in the Class of 2018, the No. 4 outside linebacker in the nation and the No. 1 prospect in South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are hoping to sign up to four linebackers for the 2018 class, and Tindall is one of the priority targets. He has named USC as his leader on several occasions, though Georgia and Auburn are still heavy in the mix.
South Carolina offers quarterback out West
On Thursday USC offered Jack Plummer, a class of 2018 three-star quarterback prospect out of Gilbert, AZ. He is the son of former Arizona State standout and NFL quarterback Jake Plummer. He is not related to former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer.
Plummer also has offers from Arizona, Boise State, Memphis, Oregon State, Cincinnati, New Mexico State and UNLV.
The Gamecocks already have an offer out to top pro-style quarterback Tyler Shough out of Chandler, AZ, who has been heavily connected with Michigan recently. Plummer’s offer could be a further sign that things are not going in favor of South Carolina with Shough.
Jake Bentley earns invitation to Manning Passing Academy
This is not necessarily recruiting news, but worth noting. Jake Bentley received a request from Archie Manning to join the Manning Passing Academy this summer as a counselor.
The senior Manning called Muschamp personally to extend the offer, which is a testament to Bentley’s development as both a player and leader. Led by Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning, the Manning Passing Academy is a football camp for high school quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
Muschamp will also be in attendance with his son, Jackson, who is a class of 2020 quarterback prospect at Hammond Academy in Columbia.