Gamecocks aim to pry Georgia product out of key recruiting area
South Carolina recruiters visit Milledgeville, Georgia regularly, but usually that’s to check out the talent at Georgia Military College. Now, the Gamecocks and many other schools have a reason to visit the central Georgia town. That’s to see cornerback Javon Bullard (5-foot-11, 183 pounds) of Baldwin County High School. The Gamecocks are in his top 12 and are working to get him to campus for the first time for a recruiting visit when the dead period ends.
“I talk to coach Kyle Krantz a lot, almost daily,” Bullard said. “Me and Coach Kyle have a pretty good relationship. He’s telling me they look at me as more of an athlete, not just a one position guy. I wanted to be playing corner but he said they would try to squeeze me in at the Nickle and the safety spot.”
Bullard has liked what he’s heard from Krantz and has a favorable impression of the Gamecock program.
“South Carolina is a great program,” Bullard said. “I grew up watching South Carolina. Of course they are in the SEC. When they offered it was a for real moment for me.”
The Gamecocks will have to battle Georgia and several others for Bullard. The Bulldogs are among his offers. Also in his top 12 are West Virginia, Auburn, Boston College, Vanderbilt, NC State, Pitt, Tennessee, Stanford, UCF and Purdue. He said along with USC, Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia, Louisville and NC State have been showing strong interest. He did get the chance to visit NC State and Wake Forest before visits were stopped.
At this point, he’s keeping things very open as he looks down the road with no real timetable for a decision.
“I’m not really looking for a specific school, I’m really looking for a specific city if that makes sense,” Bullard said. “I want to fit in with the program as a whole, not just from an athletic standpoint. Academics, the culture of the school.”
Last season Bullard had 78 tackles and 2 interceptions, and he missed 5 games with an injury. He said he is planning to sign in December and graduate early.
Notes:
▪ South Carolina offensive line target Jakiah Leftwich of Atlanta plans to announce his commitment Friday, moving the announcement up from July 19. The Gamecocks and Georgia Tech have been two of the stronger programs with him. Some of his other offers are West Virginia, TCU, USF, UCF, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Maryland, Tennessee, Kansas and Minnesota.
▪ The Gamecocks offered 2022 TE/DE Keahnist Thompson (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) of Lakeland, Florida. Florida, Iowa State, Kansas State, Miami and Nebraska are some of his other offers. 247Sports rates him as a 3-star prospect. He’s ranked the No. 22 strongside defensive end nationally and No. 50 prospect in Florida for 2022.
▪ Bree Hall, a 5-foot-11 5-star from Dayton, OHm has the USC women in her top 7. She’s ranked 26th nationally by ESPN. The others on her short list are NC State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Texas.