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2008 RECORD: 4-4 SEC East, 7-6 overall.
FIVE-STAR PLAYERS: None
FOUR-STAR: Axon, Byrd, Chisolm, Coffee, Dickerson, Giles, Gilmore, Holloman, Jeffery, Mackey, Scruggs, Straughter, Sutton.
AVERAGE STARS: 3.31
CLASS PRIZE: Gilmore.
= Signing confirmed by rivals.com
S Corey Addison, Jacksonville, Fla., 6-0, 185:
The Andrew Jackson High standout had 50 tackles and an interception as a senior, and was also responsible for seven offensive TDs.
OL Nick Allison, Asheville, 6-3, 280:
Allison, of T.C. Roberson High, was an early commitment to the Gamecocks and never wavered. Good size and attitude.
RB Ben Axon, Bradenton, Fla., 6-1, 196:
Fast (4.5 speed) and elusive at Manatee High, Axon won’t be a factor early, but could put on 20-25 pounds and develop into a solid college RB.
WR DeMario Bennett, Douglas, Ga., 6-3, 185:
Had 44 catches for 600 yards and 7 TDs as a senior at Coffee High. Bennett has 4.45 speed and a frame he can add weight to.
DE Ronald Byrd, Fork Union, Va., 6-6, 258:
Signed with South Carolina last year but didn’t qualify; after a year at Fork Union Military he’ll try again. Remarkable 4.8 speed for his size.
DE Duane Chisolm, Beaufort, S.C., 6-3, 260:
Even though a torn ACL shortened his senior season, showed his prowess as a junior with 15 sacks. Has 4.75 speed.
QB Andrew Clifford, Tampa, Fla., 6-3, 215:
S.C. gambles on unheralded QB with good size. A pro-style passer who was somewhat hidden in a running offense at Wharton High.
ATH Matt Coffee, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., 5-11, 215:
If there’s a trend for this class, it’s senior seasons being ended by leg injuries. Coffee, who could play DB, LB or RB, had a torn ACL.
TE Justice Cunningham, Pageland, S.C., 6-3, 241:
Good speed (4.78) for his size, and capable of both catching the ball and blocking. Helped Central High to a 14-1 season as a senior.
LB Josh Dickerson, Milledgeville, Ga., 6-2, 220:
Helped Georgia Military College to a 9-1 season; brings 4.6 speed, versatility at LB and a bunch of JC teammates to South Carolina.
DE Adrick Fordham, St. Stephen, S.C., 6-3, 237:
Timberland High’s Fordham is an Observer SC Top 25 pick. Also a basketball standout, he played in the North-South all-star game.
RB Jarvis Giles, Tampa, Fla., 5-11, 175:
Has 4.5 speed, but impressed scouts more with his elusiveness in space, making him a possible big-play threat for the Gamecocks.
LB Chaun Gresham, Winder, Ga., 6-3, 205:
Gresham, of Apalachee High, had 96 tackles—16 for losses—as a sr. His uncle George Rogers won the Heisman at South Carolina.
CB Stephon Gilmore, Rock Hill, 6-1, 180:
No.3 prospect in Observer Top 25, an outstanding QB for South Pointe state champions who was state’s Mr. Football, Shrine Bowl offensive MVP.
WR Charles Holmes, Rock Hill, 6-4, 197: <
While the Gamecocks were plundering South Pointe High’s undefeated team, they grabbed Holmes, one of Gilmore’s favorite targets.
DB DeVonte Holloman, Rock Hill, 6-3, 210:
No.1 prospect in Observer Top 25, he had 101 tackles, two interceptions and five TDs on punt returns for South Pointe state champs.
ATH Damario Jeffery, Columbia, 6-3, 215:
Another Top 25 choice could wind up at S, RB or even LB. Jeffery has 4.5 speed; had sr. year shortened by knee injury.
ATH Jimmy Legree, Beaufort, S.C., 6-0, 172:
A Shrine Bowl participant with 4.5 speed, Legree is an Honor Roll student with a 31-inch vertical leap who likely will play CB for the Gamecocks.
DE Leon Mackey, Chatham, Va., 6-6, 260:
This was a huge late addition for the Gamecocks. Mackey attended Hargrave Military Academy after originally committing to Virginia Tech.
S Chris Payne, Columbia, 5-10, 180:
Lost half of senior season to broken ankle, but was dominant as a junior with 146 tackles. Also an Observer Top 25 pick.
WR Lamar Scruggs, Jacksonville, Fla., 6-2, 210):
Admires Arizona pro Larry Fitzgerald and has the speed (4.5) to emulate him. Led Fletcher High to undefeated regular season, had 12 TD catches.
OL Steven Singleton, Milledgeville, Ga., 6-3, 300:
Committed to LSU out of Buford (S.C.) High, but things didn’t work out, and he comes to South Carolina out of Georgia Military (Junior) College.
WR DeAngelo Smith, Kingsland, Ga., 6-0, 174:
Helped Camden Co. High to an undefeated state 5A championship season as a senior; displays 4.48 speed. Had 12 catches for 395 yards on a running team.
LB Quin Smith, Lenoir, 6-0, 206:
Shrine Bowl choice an Observer NC Top 25 selection. An AP all-state honoree after rushing for 1,500 yards and making six interceptions.
LB Tony Straughter, Milledgeville, Ga., 6-1, 215:
First team JC all-American at Georgia Military who had 70-plus tackles as a sophomore. Strong (360-pound bench) and quick, and already enrolled at SC.
DE Chaz Sutton, Fork Union, Va., 6-4, 240:
Sutton signed with SC last year, but failed to qualify and went to Fork Union Military Academy. He got his grades in order and hopes to make an impact this fall.
S D.J. Swearinger, Greenwood, S.C., 5-10, 191:
We told you the Gamecocks were good in-state. Top 25er Swearinger had 77 tackles, then added a Shrine Bowl interception.
OL Kevious Watkins, Milledgeville, Ga., 6-4, 340:
Yet another Georgia Military College prospect bound for Columbia, Watkins originally signed with UAB but now will be a Gamecock.
