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Grading the graders - USC
The Post and Courier's Travis Haney assesses every player from South Carolina's recruiting classes from 2002 to 2006. He used the two most recognized recruiting services, Rivals.com and Scout.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA |
||||||||||||
| Player | Pos. | Rivals | Scout | The Verdict | ||||||||
| 2002 | ||||||||||||
| *Charles Ben | WR | 3 | 3 | Never made it to campus. | ||||||||
| Andy Boyd | TE | 3 | 3 | Hung around for six years and was a solid blocking tight end. | ||||||||
| *Ahmad Childress | OL | NA | 4 | Never made it to campus. | ||||||||
| Kris Clark | QB | 2 | NA | Part of assignment was to be mentor for Demetris Summers. Didn't work out. | ||||||||
| Regis Edgerson | RB | 3 | 4 | A "tweener" back that USC was excited about signing. Got lost in the shuffle and transferred. A bust. | ||||||||
| *Aryhell Freeman | QB | 4 | 3 | Tried a move to wideout before transferring. | ||||||||
| John Hall | OL | 3 | 3 | Played some but never a big factor along the line. | ||||||||
| Jermaine Harris | DB | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; two-year starter for USC that was solid, but not spectacular. | ||||||||
| *Andre Hemphill | WR | 3 | 3 | Never contributed and transferred. | ||||||||
| Ricardo Hurley | LB | 5 | 4 | Injury-prone LB who played a lot of quality minutes, but never achieved the star status many thought he'd attain. | ||||||||
| *Kenny Irons | RB | 4 | 3 | Turned out to be terrific - at Auburn. | ||||||||
| Randy Jackson | LB | 5 | 5 | Played, but didn't live up to 5-star billing. Was a two-year backup at LB. | ||||||||
| Jabari Levey | OL | 4 | 4 | So-so three-year starter who had a disappointing senior season. | ||||||||
| *Kris Mick | OL | 3 | 3 | Had injuries and off-the-field issues. Left school early. | ||||||||
| Taqiy Muhammad | CB | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; versatile athlete who played offense and defense. Played to his rating, perhaps a little higher. | ||||||||
| Cory Peoples | DB | 4 | 5 | JUCO player; Peoples wasn't all-star level DB, but played some. | ||||||||
| Brandon Robinson | OL | 3 | 3 | Was never really a factor. | ||||||||
| *Brandon Schweitzer | RB | 3 | 3 | Transferred to Western Carolina. | ||||||||
| *Stephen Sene | OL | 3 | 3 | Went to junior college and then to Liberty, where he's considered an NFL prospect. | ||||||||
| Darel Slay | LB | 5 | 5 | JUCO player; played some at DE and was OK. Wasn't necessarily dominant, as rating might suggest, but was serviceable. | ||||||||
| *Bennett Swygert | QB | 2 | NA | Chronic knee injuries limited him. He eventually went to Western Carolina. | ||||||||
| Moe Thompson | TE | 4 | 4 | Highly touted DE who left the program after his junior year under a cloud of legal problems. | ||||||||
| Daccus Turman | RB | 3 | 3 | A serviceable "tweener" back who gave the Gamecocks quality minutes. | ||||||||
| Tremaine Tyler | DB | 3 | 3 | On and off the team, but contributed some at cornerback. | ||||||||
| Chris White | OL | 3 | 1 | A three-year starter at center. Very good college-level player who overcame serious neck injury. | ||||||||
| Troy Williamson | WR | 4 | 3 | Speedy receiver was great most of the time for USC. | ||||||||
| 2003 | ||||||||||||
| Fred Bennett | CB | 3 | 4 | Wound up being solid corner for Gamecocks and landed in NFL. | ||||||||
| Cory Boyd | DB | 3 | 2 | Was heart and soul at RB for Gamecocks after returning from season-long suspension in 2005. | ||||||||
| Ryan Brown | LB | 3 | 4 | Played some, but DE didn't live up to high marks from recruiting services. | ||||||||
| Web Brown | OL | 2 | 2 | Injuries kept him from playing more, but Brown was solid as starting center in season year. | ||||||||
| DeAdrian Coley | LB | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; moved to DE and was decent contributor for USC. | ||||||||
| Stanley Doughty | DT | 2 | 2 | Talented lineman who was great at times when he kept his weight down, which wasn't often. | ||||||||
| *Cliff Dunham | DT | NA | 3 | Never made it to USC. | ||||||||
| Ty Erving | DB | 3 | 2 | Career backup who contributed on special teams. | ||||||||
| *Derrick Harper | WR | 3 | 3 | Never panned out in program. | ||||||||
| D'Von Hill | WR | 3 | 2 | Never could play his way into mix at a position in which USC was lacking talent. | ||||||||
| *Josh Johnson | DE | 2 | 2 | Was from Florida, and eventually went back home. | ||||||||
| David Laggis | DE | 2 | 3 | Moved to TE. Never contributed beyond practice field. | ||||||||
| Marcus Lawrence | LB | 4 | 4 | Solid player who was one of Holtz's better junior-college signees. | ||||||||
| *Travis Lee | WR | 3 | 3 | Didn't stick in program. | ||||||||
| Blake Mitchell | QB | 4 | 4 | Mitchell was up and down for five years, but played very, very well at times. | ||||||||
| Syvelle Newton | QB | 4 | 4 | Terrific athlete who was missed by Spurrier after his eligibility expired. | ||||||||
| Robert Pavlovic | DE/TE | 2 | 2 | Completed eligibility this past fall, but never broke through on depth chart. | ||||||||
| Mike Rathe | QB | 3 | 2 | JUCO player; played a little and went on to become USC graduate assistant. | ||||||||
| *Curtis Rice | LB | 3 | 2 | Transferred to Newberry. | ||||||||
| *Tray Rogers | LB | 3 | 2 | Son of Heisman winner George Rogers; a medical condition ended his career before it got started. | ||||||||
| Freddie Saint-Preux | DT | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; flip-flopped between OL and DL. Gave USC two middling years. | ||||||||
| Darrell Shropshire | DT | 3 | 5 | JUCO player; a 5-star was really high for a guy that played to about a 3. | ||||||||
| Charles Silas | DE | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; was a two-year contributor at DE for Gamecocks. | ||||||||
| *David Smith | WR | 3 | 3 | Transferred to Newberry. | ||||||||
| *Demetris Summers | RB | 5 | 5 | Summers had 5-star talent, but couldn't put it together off the field. People in Columbia are still shaking their heads about him. | ||||||||
| *Woody Telfort | OL | 3 | 3 | JUCO player; never played. Was part of group that allegedly stole USC property in wake of Clemson brawl. Was booted by Spurrier. | ||||||||
| Cody Wells | DB | 3 | 2 | Solid special teams contributor who made several key tackles for 2007 Gamecocks. | ||||||||
| Noah Whiteside | WR | 3 | 4 | Never lived up to high expectations. A bust by definition. | ||||||||
| 2004 | ||||||||||||
| *Albert Ashcraft | RB | 3 | 3 | Never enrolled at USC. | ||||||||
| *C.J. Barber | DB | 4 | 3 | Never enrolled at USC. | ||||||||
| Jeremy Burgess | OL | 3 | 3 | Has had trouble surfacing in depth chart. | ||||||||
| *Dorian Capers | DT | 4 | 3 | Never enrolled at USC. | ||||||||
| *John Paul Gillis | OL | 2 | 2 | Never got to USC. | ||||||||
| Marque Hall | DT | 4 | 4 | Injuries have kept Hall from being what he could be. | ||||||||
| Chris Hampton | DB | 2 | 2 | Played off and on in USC secondary. | ||||||||
| *Antonio Heffner | QB | 3 | 2 | Tried a number of positions without finding a home, and then transferred. | ||||||||
| Johnathan Joseph | CB | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; played well at USC and brokered a pro career because of it. | ||||||||
| *Tremel Kline | WR | 2 | 3 | Never made it to USC. | ||||||||
| *Antonio Lamar | RB | 2 | 2 | Never made it to USC. | ||||||||
| Dustin Lindsey | DE | 2 | 2 | Rough-and-tumble LB missed 2007 with a knee injury. | ||||||||
| Jordin Lindsey | DE | 2 | 2 | Had solid junior year before becoming a grades casualty in 2007. | ||||||||
| *Kendrick Lynch | RB | 3 | 3 | Never made it to USC. | ||||||||
| *K.T. Mainord | DT | 3 | 2 | Was booted from school after theft charge. | ||||||||
| Jamon Meredith | DE | 2 | 3 | Is bodyguard tackle for USC QBs. Needs big senior year for draft stock to rise. | ||||||||
| *Alonzo Middleton | LB | 2 | 3 | Played sparingly and then transferred elsewhere. | ||||||||
| *Grayson Mullins | K | 2 | 2 | Ryan Succop's talents never gave him a shot. | ||||||||
| *Matt Raysor | DT | 3 | 3 | Transferred before the 2007 season. | ||||||||
| Sidney Rice | WR | 3 | 3 | Wound up being one of USC's best ever in two seasons and went on to NFL. | ||||||||
| *Brandon Samuels | LB | 2 | 3 | Left program after one year. | ||||||||
| Ko Simpson | S | 2 | 2 | The hard-hitter was a big overachiever and is in the NFL now. | ||||||||
| Justin Sorensen | OL | 3 | 1 | Could play better, but is consistent starter at right tackle. | ||||||||
| *Evan Spanogians | OL | 2 | 2 | Exited program after a season. | ||||||||
| Gurminder Thind | OL | 2 | NR | The big Canadian is still fighting for playing time on the line. | ||||||||
| James Thompson | OL | 3 | 3 | Coaches waited and waited, but Thompson never panned out. | ||||||||
| *Trent Usher | S | 2 | 2 | Kicked off team by Spurrier. | ||||||||
| *Josh Winchell | OL | 3 | 2 | Had grades issues at USC. Now at Kentucky. | ||||||||
| Stoney Woodson | DB | 2 | 2 | Not a ton of talent, but has found a way to the playing field. | ||||||||
| 2005 | ||||||||||||
| Yvan Banag | S | 2 | 2 | Helped some at linebacker, was consistent on special teams. | ||||||||
| Tommy Beecher | QB | 2 | 2 | A darkhorse at QB, he's played more than most thought he would. | ||||||||
| *Mychal Belcher | QB | 2 | 2 | Shifted to safety, his USC career never began. | ||||||||
| *Kerry Bonds | DE | 3 | 2 | Booted from team by Spurrier for incident. | ||||||||
| Freddie Brown | WR | 3 | 3 | Hasn't really played himself into receiver rotation. | ||||||||
| Jared Cook | TE | 3 | 3 | Ultra-gifted athlete. Still coming around at tight end. Could be great. | ||||||||
| *Brent Davis | LB | 2 | 2 | Transferred to school in Florida after one season. | ||||||||
| Mike Davis | RB | 3 | 4 | If his grades aren't an issue, he'll be the No. 1 back going into 2008. | ||||||||
| *Jonathan Hannah | TE | 4 | 4 | JUCO player; never caught on, despite the high recruiting marks. | ||||||||
| Brandon Isaac | DB | 4 | 3 | JUCO player; shoulder problems kept him from being something special for USC. | ||||||||
| Lem Jeanpierre | DT | 3 | 2 | Has moved to OL, where he's been so-so in several games. | ||||||||
| Jarriel King | DT | 2 | 2 | After junior-college stint, wait is over for big run-stopper to finally arrive on campus. | ||||||||
| *Shea McKeen | TE | 4 | 3 | Went to junior college and just signed with N.C. State. | ||||||||
| Kenny McKinley | WR | 3 | 3 | One of the most underrated receivers in country. He was an All-SEC first-teamer in '07 after setting new USC single-season receptions record. | ||||||||
| *O.J. Murdock | WR | 4 | 4 | Buzz was high with Murdock, but he wound up at Marshall. | ||||||||
| Nathan Pepper | DE | 3 | 3 | Knee injury nixed his 2007, but he'll be a big asset at DT in 2008. | ||||||||
| Taylor Rank | DB | 3 | 3 | Special teams player who has since moved to fullback and running back. | ||||||||
| Marvin Sapp | LB | 3 | 3 | Did the best he could at MLB after Jasper Brinkley went down. Little undersized, but tough. | ||||||||
| Gerrod Sinclair | DB | 3 | 3 | Getting a little more playing time as his career continues. | ||||||||
| Ryan Succop | K | 3 | 3 | Took a step back after sensational sophomore year. Looking for more from him in 2008. | ||||||||
| Carlos Thomas | WR | 4 | 4 | Gets ridden hard by fans, but had a much better year at corner in 2007. | ||||||||
| *Cade Thompson | QB | 2 | 2 | Never had a chance to play and moved on. | ||||||||
| *Dakota Walker | LB | 3 | 3 | Transferred prior to 2007 season. | ||||||||
| Bobby Wallace | RB | 3 | 2 | Injury forced him to redshirt in 2007. Will factor in RB mix in '08. | ||||||||
| Jeremy Ware | DB | 2 | 2 | Shuffled well down depth chart upon arrival. | ||||||||
| Mike West | DB | 4 | 3 | JUCO player; has bounced to several positions, none of which has worked for West. | ||||||||
| Damien Wright | DB | 3 | 3 | Hasn't become a factor in first two years. | ||||||||
| *Brandyn Young | RB | 3 | 3 | Now at Tennessee-Martin. | ||||||||
| 2006 | ||||||||||||
| Garrett Anderson | OL | 4 | 3 | Hasn't done much yet, but should start this fall. | ||||||||
| Pierre Andrews | OL | 4 | 2 | Still developing after redshirt year. | ||||||||
| *Clarence Bailey | OL | 4 | 4 | JUCO player; didn't have grades for USC. Wound up at Division II Albany State. | ||||||||
| Heath Batchelor | OL | 3 | 3 | Became an unexpected starter at right guard late in | ||||||||
| Casper Brinkley | LB | 3 | 3 | JUCO player; had a great couple of years for Gamecocks. | ||||||||
| Jasper Brinkley | LB | 3 | 4 | JUCO player; all-SEC selection who'll be back in 2008 after a knee injury last season. | ||||||||
| Ryan Broadhead | OL | 2 | 2 | Hasn't proven himself as a prospect. | ||||||||
| Moe Brown | WR | 3 | 3 | Helps from time to time, but struggles blocking downfield. | ||||||||
| Seaver Brown | OL | 3 | 2 | Stepped in and became a consistent starter in 2007. | ||||||||
| Terrance Campbell | DE | 3 | 2 | Has bounced back and forth between the OL and DL. Can't find a spot. | ||||||||
| Emanuel Cook | S | 3 | 3 | A hard-hitting All-SEC selection who figures to become even better as a junior. | ||||||||
| Hutch Eckerson | OL | 4 | 3 | One of the guys Spurrier is most frustrated with about slow development. | ||||||||
| Kenrick Ellis | DT | 4 | 4 | Hasn't played much yet, but that could change for the big run-stopper. | ||||||||
| Clark Gaston | DE | 3 | 2 | Moved to fullback and hasn't been heard from since. | ||||||||
| Chris Hail | WR | 2 | 2 | Plays sparingly at corner and helps on special teams. | ||||||||
| Captain Munnerlyn | CB | 2 | 2 | The biggest miss by the recruiters. This All-SEC pick is a star in the making as a cover corner. | ||||||||
| Eric Norwood | DE | 3 | 3 | Another low projection. Norwood was one of the SEC's best rush ends as a sophomore. | ||||||||
| Rodney Paulk | LB | 3 | 3 | Has battled injuries, but remains one of USC's more consistent linebackers at strong side. | ||||||||
| Nick Prochak | QB | 3 | 2 | After Andy Boyd's departure, could finally get a chance to help. | ||||||||
| Joel Reaves | DT | 3 | 3 | JUCO player; graduated without ever really making his mark. | ||||||||
| Vandaral Shackelford | LB | 3 | 3 | Had his chance when Jasper went down, but didn't step up. | ||||||||
| Chris Smelley | QB | 4 | 3 | Will be co-leader to start this fall at QB, alongside Stephen Garcia. | ||||||||
| Darian Stewart | S | 3 | 3 | Another surprise at safety. Like Cook, he'll knock your block off. | ||||||||
| Kevin Young | OL | 4 | 3 | The coaches and team needed him in 2007. Fingers are crossed for '08. | ||||||||
* - From 2002-06, 44 of 135 players (32.6 percent) failed to complete four years of eligibility for any reason other than leaving early for the NFL draft.
