Crootin’ Notebook: What’s next with South Carolina commit Jamario Holley out of 2019 class?

Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern senior Jamario Holley showed out in the state playoffs despite his school failing to clinch a title. You couldn’t blame Gamecocks fans for dreaming of him doing the same on Saturdays at Williams-Brice Stadium.

But on Tuesday morning, we got a bigger bit of news: Holley was no longer set to be part of South Carolina’s 2019 class for academic reasons, first reported by Gamecock Central and later confirmed by The State’s Matt Connolly. It’s a big blow for the program, especially with the early signing period starting a week from tomorrow.

And now Will Muschamp, along with the Gamecock football staff, are now forced to fill a big hole left vacant by the 4-star recruit, considered the No. 3 player in the state by 247Sports.com. With a pair of WRs pledged in the class (Memphis ATH Keveon Mullins and Wake Forest (N.C.)’s Traevon Kenion), here are a couple of names they could focus on:

Xavier Legette, Mullins (S.C.): Legette didn’t get the same headlines as his in-state counterpart up at Northwestern, but the three-sport athlete should bring his own skillset to the table. He visited in November and has the Gamecocks on the list of stops for official visits, along with East Carolina and Tulane. The fact that Legette may be reclassified for the 2020 class may complicate things a little, though.

Xay Flowers, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School: A player that was offered last month by the Gamecocks, Flowers officially visited Kansas State in September and Boston College just this past weekend. An official visit to Columbia was in the works, but he wasn’t able to make it. Regardless, the Gamecocks have some ground to make up if they’re to add him - but with Flowers projected to play corner in college, he probably won’t end up here.

It’s likely, too, that the Gamecocks stay put for now and pursue a JUCO transfer to sign with them when the late signing period opens in February, or hold off altogether and try to switch focus to another position. Or perhaps Holley’s academic situation is resolved and he finds himself in a position to re-commit and join the program in the summer. We’ll see.