Recruiting Central: Braves and Gamecocks

No big surprises thus far for South Carolina on national signing day besides WR Alshon Jeffrey changing his mind from Southern Cal and committing to the Gamecocks. The 6-3 wideout from Calhoun County, SC chose to stay close to home. Jeffrey was another ESPN Under Armour All-American, giving the Gamecocks 7 players out of ESPNU's Top 150.

The Gamecocks have stock piled defense in this year's classes including four star safeties Chris Payne, Stephon Gilmore, Devonte Holloman and Demario Jeffrey. Holloman and Jeffrey may moved to linebacker this spring for Spurrier's bunch.

Complete coverage of UNCP's 2009 class will be posted between 5 and 6pm following today's press conference at Bob Caton Fieldhouse. Stay tuned.

Just finished with the press conference and here's my initial report, check out the story in tomorrow's Robesonian print edition.

Shinnick announced 31 new players, including 5 transfers (2 junior college guys). Headlining the list are three guys from Fayetteville, including a pair from Seventy-First and a DB from South View.

Two quarterbacks were added, including a dual threat guy and a pocket passer. Overall Shinnick seemed excited about this year's class. "Our coaching staff put in alot of hard work this offseason," Shinnick said during Wednesday's press conference. "We started with the 910 area and worked our way across the state of North Carolina."

Interesting note: All 26 freshman are from North Carolina but not a single one is from Robeson County. Shinnick said that most of the guys they were looking at weren't big enough and did not qualify academically.