One of Will Muschamp's main focuses on the recruiting trail was to secure top-flight in-state talent, and he certainly accomplished that goal in his 2017 class, his first full year bringing in recruits. The top six South Carolina prospects in Rivals' rankings will wear the garnet and black next season, and five of them were committed before National Signing Day.
The top three Palmetto State signees are offensive weapons, each of whom bring a different skill set to the table. It starts with OrTre Smith, the state's top player, who can use his 6-foot-3, 215 pound frame to catch balls in tight coverage and fight through tackles. Then there's Shi Smith, a speedster from Union, who should see time in the return game in addition to offensive plays designed to get him in space. Finally, tight end Will Register is coming in with SEC size, and he could get some work despite a crowded position group.
Muschamp also brought in quarterback Jay Urich and offensive lineman Summie Carlaybefore securing defensive lineman Brad Johnson, who was still considering Virginia Tech. With the signings of Davonne Bowen and Tyreek Johnson, the Gamecocks will have eight of the top 11 in-state recruits for the 2017 class.
In-state recruiting definitely has specific advantages. Some people think in-state recruits may work harder in college because it may have been their lifelong dream to play for a particular school. However, the primary advantage is that it allows the college's recruiters to build positive, important relationships with high school coaches, and possibly with future recruits as well.
The biggest win for the Gamecocks Wednesday was keeping defensive back Jamyest Williams, who many suspected would flip to Georgia. Williams is a dynamic corner with skills in the return game, and he could contribute right away.
Speaking of guys who could contribute right away, South Carolina had a big day with defensive line prospects, including junior college transfer Javon Kinlaw, who Muschamp said has impressed him with his maturity. Four-star defensive tackle, Aaron Sterling, a former Alabama commit, picked the Gamecocks on signing day over Tennessee. Those three pledges will join early-enrollee MJ Webb, the highest-ranked lineman in South Carolina's class.
The strengths of this class are at the wide receiver, defensive line and secondary groups, and that's no accident. Muschamp assembled a staff of elite recruiters, most notably wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson ,a former defensive backs coach from Florida. McClendon had nothing but high praise for his incoming receivers, and Robinson was a major factor in Williams' recruitment while also bringing in five three-star defensive backs.
Expecting a top 10 class after a 6-7 season would've been unreasonable, but South Carolina did an impressive job to snag a spot in the top 20. Momentum is built through recruiting, and for the second straight year, Muschamp has led the Gamecocks to a big push on signing day. That couldn't have been done without making a major push within the state and stockpiling talent at positions where he has strengths on the coaching staff.