Gamecocks notch second Army All-American
SAN ANTONIO - Victor Hampton knew before he walked in the room that he was going to become a South Carolina commitment.
So when Hampton realized his roommate for the week leading up to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl would be Gamecocks commitment Kelcy Quarles, an introduction was in order.
"We were roommates, so when he walked in the room he was like, 'I'm going to Carolina.' I was like I am, too. I said well, that's a great fit then," Quarles said of the pair's first meeting.
According to Hampton, the pair made an instant connection. One they're planning to bring to Columbia.
"We hit it off. As soon as we met, it was like we knew each other for a long time," Hampton said.
In it's 10-year history, two U.S. Army All-American Bowl selections have joined the Gamecocks. On Saturday, Hampton became the second to do so this season.
A 5-foot-11 defensive back from Darlington High School, Hampton got a chance to shine last season with more than 60 tackles and three interceptions. He almost got that same chance in the Alamodome, making a leaping pass break-up on a third down and long against a West team receiver.
That play appeared to have halted a West drive but it went for naught as a roughing-the-quarterback penalty kept the drive going. The West went on to score and eventually pick up a 30-14 victory against the newly formed Gamecock duo.
"I did like the break-up. I wish I could have pulled it down with one hand," Hampton said. "It's still going to be on TV."
Hampton's time on television is about to get a sizable bump. The all-star defender is looking forward to joining a program with a long history of turning out great defensive backs.
While he looks forward to the challenge of excelling athletically in the Southeastern Conference, the learning environment in Columbia ultimately was the deciding factor in his becoming a Gamecock, Hampton said.
"My official visit showed me a lot of things I didn't know about South Carolina. The academics and the type of academic programs they had I felt was perfect for the way I wanted to learn," Hampton said. "When I learned how they worked around in the program, that pretty much made my decision."
With his roommate firmly in the fold, Quarles went to work recruiting other all-stars for USC.
A defensive tackle for Greenwood, Quarles spent the week preparing to play defense and offering college advice to anyone who would listen. His hope is that the pair of newest Carolina commitments helped change the minds of some players who haven't yet decided on a college.
"I recruited a lot out here, and I feel like we're going to get a couple commitments out of this," Quarles said. "I just hope, if everything follows through, we're going to have a good class."
One of those undecided recruits is South Carolina's Mr. Football, Marcus Lattimore, who came into Saturday's game as the No. 2 running back and No. 7 overall player in the country according to Rivals.com.
A stomach bug limited his time on the field but he did finish as the East's second-leading rusher with three carries for 13 yards.
The time in San Antonio gave Lattimore the chance to interact with some of the nation's best talent, including top-rated running back Lache Seastrunk and Southern California wide receiver commitment Kyle Prater.
While that interaction could make his college decision more interesting, Lattimore was excited just to have the opportunity to be a part of such a large collection of talent.
"There was about five Penn State guys. They were on me all day, everyday," Lattimore joked about his recruitment. "This was my first time in Texas and I had a real good experience in San Antonio. I met a lot of new people who I read about all the time. That was a good thing. To be an All-American, I've got that label for the rest of my life. I'm proud of that."
This story was originally published January 10, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Gamecocks notch second Army All-American."