South Carolina gets another visit from big in-state target

Conway defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway was one of the top prospects to visit South Carolina over the weekend. His parents and his brother joined him on the visit that lasted about five hours. Hemingway has been heavily pursued by the Gamecocks and this visit gave him a chance to see new buildings and the new defensive tackles coach John Scott.

“They showed me around the new facility,” Hemingway said. “I liked how they practiced and how it was uptempo and how they compete everyday. They got after it every play. They come off the line good and play every down. I liked how coach Scott talked with the guys and helped out. He said he liked how I can play in and out.”

Hemingway also talked with head coach Will Muschamp.

“He said that he was glad that I came up there and came to watch practice and see how things work,” Hemingway said.

Hemingway has not yet cut his list but he feels like USC will be in that short list. He said he “most likely” will return to USC for the spring game. And he said wants to visit North Carolina, Duke and Alabama.

Notes:

▪ Among the players who confirmed visiting USC Friday or Saturday were wide receiver Rakim Jarrett of Washington, D.C, Suwanee, Ga., defensive lineman Chuck Smith, Gainesville, Ga. defensive lineman Makius Scott, Littleton, Co. 2021 quarterback Jake Rubley, 2021 Emerald defensive lineman Cameron Gordon and Virginia Beach, Va., 2021 linebacker Isi Etute. And according to TheBigSpur, defensive Jordan Burch of Hammond also was at USC Saturday.

▪ Powder Springs, Ga., defensive end Myles Murphy told some media covering The Opening combine in Atlanta Sunday he will visit Clemson April 1. He also visited in September.

▪ Former Rock Hill High wide receiver Antonio Barber, who is now at Hough High in Cornelius, N.C., decommitted from Tennessee. He had been committed to the Vols for nearly a year. USC also was among his offers when he committed.

▪ The Gamecocks offered running back Sam Adams II of Sammamish, Wa. He’s the son of the former NFL standout. He’s a highly recruited prospect with other stated offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Washington and others.