Tampa's recruiting pipeline flowing well for Gamecocks

TAMPA, Fla. — South Carolina's Steve Spurrier has been asked several times this week how much the Outback Bowl stands to bolster the Gamecocks' recruiting efforts.

The reality is they were doing pretty well in this town without the game.

"I think we're doing OK here," Spurrier said, smiling, earlier in the week.

It's been well documented that today's starting QB, Stephen Garcia, is a Jefferson High product. Senior defensive back Stoney Woodson went to Middleton High.

And it's a next-gen Gamecocks thing, too.

Highly considered running back recruit Jarvis Giles, who went to Gaither High, was at practice Saturday. He'll play this week in the Under Armour All-American Game at Disney World and then get ready to enroll Jan. 8 at South Carolina.

Another running back commitment, Ben Axon, is from the area (Bradenton). And those in recruiting circles seem convinced that yet another Tampa-area back, speedy Lindsey Lamar, could be a Gamecock.

Still, a win here couldn't hurt.

"Winning helps anything. Winning cures all your ills," Spurrier said. "We all hope to do that."

Host family

Gary Garcia, Stephen's father, and Jim Anderson, center Garrett Anderson's dad, helped to organize a lunch Wednesday for the players' families and friends.

About 100 people attended the lunch, at a Cuban restaurant in Ybor City.

Garcia has taken on the role of jovial host this week, making sure many in the Gamecocks traveling party are taken care of while in town. He attended practice Tuesday, talking with Spurrier, Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden and others.

"Yeah, you guys probably know Gary by now," Spurrier joked Wednesday morning at the final news conference before the game. "He's around a lot."

NFL chatter

Kirk Ferentz's name is coming up for some open NFL jobs. In particular, some old friends might be getting high-up jobs with the Cleveland Browns. There's some thought they might consider Ferentz to replace Romeo Crennel.

Spurrier didn't want to offer much counsel for Ferentz.

"He's certainly been around long enough to make a good, solid decision, one way or another," Spurrier said.

Spurrier said he "sort of went to the wrong place" to define his NFL experience with Washington.

"But that was my fault," he said. "It wasn't anybody's fault. It just didn't work out."

Spurrier went 12-20 in two seasons with the Redskins.

Extra points

The team participated Wednesday afternoon in a walk-through at Raymond James Stadium. Garcia played there in the state playoffs with Jefferson. ... The refs for today's game will be from the Big East. ... Spurrier said, as of Wednesday, curfew has not been an issue for the players. Only for one assistant coach, who was described by Spurrier as a bachelor. That seems to narrow it down. Spurrier said he made the coach run for being late to a meeting.

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