Pass catcher or pass rusher? Gamecocks recruiting target can do both

Rockledge, Florida athlete Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) could end up playing any number of positions in college. Sanders was primarily a wide receiver before moving over to defense the last half of last season and put up good numbers. So, defensive coaches see him as an end or an outside linebacker prospect. And offensive coaches like him as a receiver and a running back.

South Carolina offered Sanders earlier this month, and his conversations have been with receivers coach Bryan McClendon and defensive assistant Kyle Krantz. The Gamecocks are letting him know the door is open both ways should he decide to join them.

“They like my talent on both sides and they were saying I can go there as an athlete and play on either side, offense or defense,” Sanders said. “It was definitely a blessing getting (the offer). That was one of the teams at the top of my list. I’m definitely going to come out there (for a visit).”

Sanders said he and the Gamecocks are just now starting to build their relationship, but he does have a connection to the USC program.

“There’s really not too much history, but I have a friend that’s there as a freshman (Dominick Hill),” Sanders said. “We went to the same middle school.”

Sanders also has offers from Florida State, Indiana, Arkansas, UCF, Kansas, Virginia, Miami, Louisville, Nebraska, Tennessee, Pitt, Missouri, West Virginia, Arkansas and UCF. He said he does not have a favorite but added that Virginia was on him very hard at this point.

Sanders said he won’t make a decision until after his season.

Notes:

▪ The Gamecocks offered Cypress, Texas running back LJ Johnson. He’s ranted a 4-star prospect by 247Sports composite and the No. 4 running back in the country. As such, he carries a national offer list which includes Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State, Northwestern, Miami, Florida, Southern Cal, Stanford and Texas. According to MaxPreps stats, over the last two seasons Johnson has rushed for 3091 yards and 57 touchdowns.

▪ Gaffney defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins picked up an offer from NC State.

▪ Sumter defensive end Justus Boone was offered by Ole Miss.

▪ Legacy Charter 2022 6-foot-9 forward Perry Smith Jr. made and unofficial visit to South Carolina on Saturday. LSU, Nebraska, DePaul and TCU are some reported offers from Smith who was a teammate of USC freshman Jalyn McCreary at Legacy.

This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 9:27 PM.