Fridays with Muschamp: Being at high school games important to USC coach

The next time you see Will Muschamp roaming the sidelines of a high school football game, it’s not because he has to be there.

South Carolina’s first-year head coach wants to be there, and he enjoys it.

“I think it’s all based on what you like to do. I like high school football. I love going to a high school game,” Muschamp said. “I like to see guys you’re recruiting compete and see their competitive edge. That’s part of the evaluation.”

Muschamp, who is known as a tireless recruiter, was able to get to “about four” high school games during USC’s open week, he said. Two of those games Muschamp was reported to be at came Friday night and in different states.

Muschamp and quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper watched Class of 2018 Fort Dorchester quarterback Dakereon Joyner at a game in Summerville. The Gamecocks’ coach also was reported to be in attendance in Southern Pines, NC, for a game featuring 2017 defensive back commit Jaylin Dickerson and 2018 tailback target Zamir White.

“I’ll see some more this week,” Muschamp said.

Five-star Class of 2018 defensive end Xavier Thomas tweeted that Muschamp would be among the coaches at Wilson High’s game Thursday against St. James.

If history is any indication, Muschamp will be on the road evaluating Friday night as well.

“I think it’s important, especially in the state of South Carolina, to get out and promote the game of football,” he said. “I enjoy high school coaches. I enjoy being around the game, regardless of what level it’s on. That’s something that I personally love to do. I love going out and recruiting and evaluating guys and promoting the game of football.”