Gamecocks recruit recap: Monster games for CJ Freeman, JJ Givens

How South Carolina commits performed this week:

2016

OT Akeem Cooperwood (Georgia Military College; Milledgeville, Ga.) – GMC’s season is over.

OG Lloyd Cushenberry (Dutchtown; Geismar, La.) – Helped Dutchtown to a 31-17 win over Ruston in the first round of the playoffs. Dutchtown will face Zachary this week.

WR Bryan Edwards (Conway; Conway) – Out for the season with a knee injury. Conway will face Westwood Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

RB CJ Freeman (Northern Guilford; Greensboro, N.C.) – 18 carries for 256 yards and touchdown runs of 66, 91 and 11 yards in a 40-7 win over Corinth Holders in the first round of the playoffs. Northern Guilford will face Asheboro this week.

DE Griffin Gentry (Homewood; Birmingham, Ala.) – Homewood fell 40-39 to undefeated Clay-Chalkville in the second round of the playoffs.

S JJ Givens (Atlee; Mechanicsville, Va.) – Caught six passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in Atlee’s 38-35 playoff win over Mountain View. Atlee will face Tuscarora this week.

WR Kelvin Harmon (Palmyra; Palmyra, N.J.) – Four catches for 88 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown, in Palmyra’s 34-16 playoff win over Point Pleasant Beach. Palmyra faces Burlington City this week.

CB Tre Jackson (University; Baton Rouge, La.) – Out for the year with a torn ACL.

OT Pete Leota (Asheville; Asheville, N.C.) – Fell to Weddington 30-17 in the first round of the playoffs.

QB Brandon McIlwain (Council Rock North; Newton, Pa.) – 20 carries for 204 yards and four touchdowns, 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, intercepted a pass on defense; 7-for-22 passing for 85 yards with two interceptions in a 59-34 loss to Upper Darby.

LB JaCorey Morris (Clarke County; Grove Hill, Ala.) – Clarke County’s season is over.

OT Will Putnam (Hickory Ridge; Harrisburg, N.C.) – Hickory Ridge fell 21-12 to Ledford in the playoffs on Friday.

CB Chris Smith (South Pointe; Rock Hill) – South Pointe topped Daniel 55-28 in the first round of the playoffs Friday. The Stallions will host Richland Northeast this week.

DE Jordan Smith (Lithonia; Lithonia, Ga.) – Lithonia is done for the season.

DE Cecil Stallings (Tucker; Tucker, Ga.) – Helped Tucker to a 38-28 win over Langston Hughes in the first round of the playoffs. Tucker will next face South Forsyth.

DT Darius Whitfield (St. Paul’s Episcopal; Mobile, Ala.) – Helped St. Paul’s Episcopal to a 24-23 win over Greenville in the first round of the playoffs. St. Paul’s Episcopal will face Demopolis next.

2017

TE Will Register (Chapin; Chapin) – Three catches for 95 yards, two touchdown receptions, in Chapin’s 56-35 win over Southside in the first round of the playoffs. Chapin faces Wren this week.

Matt Connolly

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 5:09 PM.