Gamecocks camp report: Four-star QBs, five-star DE visit South Carolina
Camp season is back.
South Carolina hosted its third camp session of June on Thursday, welcoming young athletes and recruiting prospects from all over the country to the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility.
Here’s a look at recruiting news and notes from the day:
- The headliners at Thursday’s camp were Class of 2024 four-star quarterbacks Dante Reno (No. 207 nationally in the 247Sports Composite) and Jayden Bradford (No. 53 in the 247Sports Composite). The pair worked out on the outside fields with South Carolina offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield, analyst Nick Coleman and receivers coach Justin Stepp before being joined by other campers.
- Reno is currently mulling over a possible switch to the 2023 class which, in theory, would better open the door for USC to add both he and Bradford — who’s likely to remain a 2024 prospect — in the coming years. However, it’s not altogether clear whether Reno will graduate a year early or not. South Carolina is also heavily in play for 2023 four-star prospect Dylan Lonergan, who’s expected on campus for an official visit starting Friday, leaving a handful of dominoes still to fall.
- Five-star edge rusher Chandavian Bradley (Platte City, Missouri) was spotted around the football facility Thursday on an unofficial visit with South Carolina defensive line coach Sterling Lucas, who replaced Mike Peterson on the staff in January. Bradley is rated the No. 1 edge and No. 32 prospect in the 2023 class, per the 247Sports Composite that factors in all rankings. He’s also considering offers from Tennessee, Texas A&M, among others.
- Class of 2025 tight end prospect Elyiss Williams received ample attention from the South Carolina staff on Thursday. The 6-foot-8 rising sophomore out of Folkston, Georgia hasn’t been graded in the 247Sports Composite yet given his age, but he already boasts offers from Georgia, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Georgia Southern and Florida A&M. Head coach Shane Beamer and tight ends coach Jody Wright both visited with Williams during camp.
- Class of 2023 linebacker Phillip Mason worked out at camp Thursday. Mason previously reclassified from the 2022 class and had been committed to Tennessee as a preferred walk-on, per Rocky Top Insider. The Georgia product has since transferred from Ridgeland High School to PURE Youth Athletics Alliance, a nonprofit private school in Memphis.
- A handful of coaches from East Carolina and The Citadel were on hand for Thursday’s camp. The group included ECU special teams coordinator Tim Daoust, among others. Daoust and South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White previously worked together at Western Michigan during the 2006 season.
- Current Gamecocks Jaheim Bell, Luke Doty, Zacch Pickens and Josh Vann were among those who hung out around the practice facility following their own workouts on Thursday morning. Doty chatted and worked with Reno and Bradford some during their throwing session with Satterfield and Coleman.
Ben Portnoy
The State