South Carolina heavily involved with pair of key 2018 defensive linemen

South Carolina has been the leader for defensive end Jabari Ellis of Lake Marion and Georgia Military College, and through this spring, the Gamecocks have maintained their advantage as more offers have come in. Ellis now has offers from N.C. State, Colorado and East Carolina. But the Gamecocks have kept up their interest and were in to check out Ellis in person during his recently completed spring practice.

"I just wanted to show them me," Ellis said. "I wanted to go and give hit a hundred percent and show them the player they are interested in getting. Coach Thompson is telling me I'm one of the top priorities in the class of 2018. He told me that's one thing they need to improve in is defensive linemen. He wants me to play mainly inside but occasionally I might slide outside."

Last season, the 6-foot-4, 290 pounder made fourteen tackles, four for loss, with one sack.

N.C. State has been in touch with Ellis and he said he's also hearing from Arkansas, Florida and West Virginia. His only visit has been to USC. He plans to make his decision sometime this summer.

Note:

▪  Defensive end Stephon Wynn Jr. of Anderson and IMG Academy was considered a lock to Clemson by most going into this recruiting season because his father played for the Tigers. But at Sunday's EPT Showcase at Ridge View High School, Wynn told Hale McGranahan of SEC Country he's a lot more involved with USC than the Tigers at this point.

Wynn said he's visited the Gamecocks at least six times since Will Muschamp took over and another visit is possible. As for Clemson, Wynn told McGranahan the Tigers aren't that involved any more. Wynn said he's also looking at Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State and plans to visit them this summer. LSU and Tennessee also are involved.