Gamecocks a favorite for in-state receiver. USC offers Rock Hill tight end for 2021
Shrine Bowl wide receiver Ger-Cari Caldwell of Northwestern High has emerged as the top uncommitted prospect remaining in the state for the 2020 signing class.
He’s rated a three-star prospect and the No. 15 recruit in the state by the 247Sports Composite. A former East Carolina commitment, Caldwell now has offers from the likes of South Carolina, Baylor, Wake Forest, Illinois, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, NC State, Virginia and Duke. But three schools have moved to the top of the list.
Caldwell (6-4, 193) said Monday he has USC, Baylor and Tennessee as his favorites with no individual leader. Gamecock coaches Will Muschamp, Mike Bobo, Bryan McClendon and Bobby Bentley have been in regular contact, and Caldwell said the Gamecocks are pitching him the idea of coming in and being their next big receiver, following in the footsteps of all-time leading pass-catcher Bryan Edwards.
Caldwell has taken official visits to East Carolina, Wake Forest and Baylor. He said the Baylor visit went very well for him and he was impressed with what head coach Matt Rhule had to say about how he would be used in his offense.
Caldwell said he will take his official visit to USC the last weekend in January, meaning the Gamecocks will get the final person-to-person visit with him prior to the February signing date. He also plans to set up a visit with Tennessee. He said he would like to announce his commitment soon after his visit to USC — probably before Signing Day — though he could wait as long as signing day Feb. 5.
This season, Caldwell had 51 catches for 744 yards and 6 touchdowns. Over his career with the Trojans, Caldwell totaled 92 catches for 1,305 yards and 9 touchdowns.
USC offers Rock Hill tight end
USC has offered tight end Robbie Ouzts of Rock Hill, per his coach, Bubba Pittman.
His reported other offers include Coastal Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Maryland and West Virginia.
Pittman said Ouzts (6-4 240) is an old-school type of football player.
“Throwback guy, tough, hard-nosed kid,” Pittman said. “He is not one to get caught up in the recruiting hype. Just works his tail off everyday to get better. Great kid.”
Ouzts also is a basketball player for the Bearcats.
Notes: USC commit Huntley could visit Georgia
▪ USC defensive line commitment Alex Huntley of Hammond, who is at the Adidas All-American game in San Antonio, told Rivals upon his arrival there Monday that he’s considering taking an official visit to Georgia in January. He also said he is still planning to sign with the Gamecocks in February. Huntley has taken an official visit to Virginia.
▪ TE Marcus Thompson of Greensboro, North Carolina received a preferred walk-on offer from USC.
▪ South Aiken TE Jesse Sanders received a PWO offer from Tennessee. He has the same from USC. He also has offers from Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Army, Akron and Mercer.
▪ USC is in the top 6 with DT Taizse Johnson of Washington, DC. The others are Alabama, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Maryland and Florida. He’s the No. 13 ranked DT in the country by 247Sports Composite.
▪ Dillon WR Ahmari Huggins was offered by Indiana.
▪ Myrtle Beach WR JJ Jones was offered by Duke and Toledo.