Report Card: South Carolina
National Signing Day
Overall: When Byrnes RB Marcus Lattimore committed to South Carolina on Tuesday night, it gave the Gamecocks the playmaker in the backfield they've been looking for ever since head coach Steve Spurrier arrived on campus. Lattimore saves this from being a mediocre class. DT Kelcy Quarles and DB Victor Hampton highlight a strong Palmetto State flavor to this class.
Quarterbacks: QB Connor Shaw is the son of a high school football coach and has already enrolled at USC. Spurrier has been raving about this "gym rat" since he arrived on campus. Time will tell.
Grade: B-
Running Backs: Marcus Lattimore. Marcus Lattimore. Marcus Lattimore. Is there anything else that needs to be said? Lattimore could be the best running back prospect to sign with USC since George Rogers.
Grade: A+
Receivers: There probably won't be an Alshon Jeffrey in this class, but there rarely is. USC has plenty of size at receiver and was looking for fast, quick slot receivers. USC lost Sean Tapley to UNC on signing day, but did land WR Ace Sanders, who is already being compared to Kenny McKinley.
Grade: B
Offensive Line: USC signed six offensive linemen in this class, despite the departure of O-line coach Eric Wolford. The Gamecocks lost out on Eric Mack, who had verbally committed to USC back in the summer. A.J. Cann could have an immediate impact this fall.
Grade: B+
Defensive Line: Quarles was the most consistent defensive lineman in the state. Quarles could eventually move to defensive end.
Grade: B+
Linebackers: The Gamecocks were unable to land LB Justin Parker, who had been favoring them most of the year. With playmaker Eric Norwood gone, the Gamecocks needed to make a bigger splash. JUCO LB Toquavius Gilchrist is already enrolled in school. LB Brandon Golson is considered a "sleeper" in this class.
Grade: B
Secondary: Hampton, who played for Charlotte Independence HS in 2008, was a one-time Florida commitment. Hampton had an up-and-down season, but was widely considered the best DB at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The Gamecocks missed out on John Fulton (Alabama), but getting Hampton was a nice consolation prize.
Grade: B+
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