I hope readers of my blog didn’t think I gave up on my 7-6 Steve Spurrier-led Gamecocks . . .What’s done is done for 2008 season. As disappointing as it may have been, it’s time to shed light on a few positives we have to look forward to for next year and beyond.
South Carolina Gamecocks
As Captain Munnerlyn, Eric Norwood, Jasper Brinkley, Jared Cook and Emmanuel Cook played their last games for the Garnet and Black on Jan. 1st in Tampa, a few soon-to-be USC standouts watched from workouts at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando.
As it stands according to ESPNU Recruiting, South Carolina has five players in the Top 90, headlined by South Point High stars Devonte Holloman and Stephon Gilmore. Both are expected to compete for playing time at the safety positions alongside returners Chris Culliver and Darian Stewart. I’d like to see Gilmore put at the Spur position in Ellis Johnson’s 3-3-5 look.
Both Holloman and Gilmore played fantastic in last night’s all-star game. Holloman collected three tackles and a pass deflection while Gilmore made a diving interception in the north endzone in the third quarter. Safety Damario Jeffrey for the Gamecocks also got an invitation, but was in street clothes on the sidelines due to injury.
The Gamecocks are set to have a Top 10 class it looks like, if all 25 high school senior commits indeed sign the dotted line in February. ESPNU’s No. 2 all-purpose player, Jarvis Giles from Tampa, Fla., is enrolling at South Carolina this week and will certainly challenge RBs Eric Baker and Bryan Maddox for the starting nod next season.
Giles wasn’t much of a factor in the UA game, tallying six carries for 12 yards unofficially. Giles’ squad lost to Holloman and Gilmore 27-16. He chose the Gamecocks over offers from Tennessee and Nebraska.
UNC-Pembroke Braves
ATTN: Fayetteville State, you’ve been warned. Division-II’s newest college football rivalry won’t kickoff till September, but UNCP has staked its claim as the new recruiting behemoth in the I-95 rivalry. Pete Shinnick and the Braves are expected to reload this offseason with much talent if everything goes according to plan on signing day. Following a 9-1 record and NCAA Independents coach-of-the-year accolades in 2008, Shinnick has the Braves geared up for a possible postseason berth in 2009 with nearly every starter returning on both sides of the ball.
Last season’s diamond in the rough, Jamal Williams, saw extensive action on offense and special teams for the Braves and accounted for nine total touchdowns. I’ll call him the Devin Hester of Pembroke if I may. At 5’6, Williams darted his way through defenses and averaged nearly 30 yards-per-touch as a return threat.
Wonder who this year’s Jamal Williams will be?
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