Gamecocks offer intriguing in-state prospect who should be among best in 2023 class
At 6-foot-2 and 327 pounds, Eamon Smalls stands out every time he hits the football field.
The University of South Carolina coaching staff has been keeping tabs on Smalls and offered the Beaufort High School rising sophomore Monday.
“I like USC a lot,” Smalls said after Saturday’s InfiniT camp at Ben Lippen High School. “I like the campus and they have showed me love. I have always liked them.
“It feels so unreal, but my EMC strength and conditioning coach always prepared us for this moment. EMC is a mentoring program that I’ve been a part of since I was nine years old.”
Smalls has visited USC twice for camp and was invited to pair of of Gamecocks’ games last season.
Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Syracuse and Clemson also have shown interest in Smalls, who should be one of the top prospects in the state for the Class of 2023.
In addition to Smalls, USC has offered other in-state 2023 prospects including Camden defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod, Spartanburg quarterback Raheim Jeter and Oceanside Collegiate offensive lineman Monroe Freeling.
Smalls started on the defensive line for Beaufort, which plays a 4-2-5 scheme. Beaufort coach Bryce Lybrand said Smalls could easily play in a 3-4 line on the next level.
Smalls had 30 1/2 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks and six quarterback hurries this year.
“I think the biggest thing to me is that he plays really hard,” Lybrand said. “It’s obvious that his size and talent are really great, but the way he plays is my favorite thing about him. He’s a humble kid.”
Smalls has been playing football since age 9 and has been one of the biggest players on the team since third grade. He is a big fan of Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald and tries to emulate his game after the former NFL Defensive Player of The Year.
Smalls would have likely attended several different college camps over the summer if the coronavirus didn’t shut things down. He attended the Elite Underclassmen Camp in Florida last month and Saturday’s InfiniT Camp.
“Just been working out hard. I have been working out with my trainer/coach trying to get the extra work in,” Smalls said. “Anything to keep myself in shape.”
This story was originally published July 13, 2020 at 4:27 PM.
