South Carolina big man target has timeline, is looking for ‘just another home’
Hartsville 6-foot-9 forward Cesare Edwards is not close on his decision. But his plan is to make a commitment before his season so he can concentrate on his final year with the Red Foxes.
“I’m just really taking everything in from all my offers and just thinking hard,” Edwards said. “I’m looking for a big family, coaches that will push hard but at the end of the day you can talk to them about anything, and a great support system with faculty and staff, teachers and students. Really just another home.”
Edwards has an offer list consisting of Clemson, South Carolina, College of Charleston, Presbyterian, Xavier, Western Carolina, VCU, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Florida, Texas A&M, Providence, Florida, Missouri and Wichita State. He has visited USC and Clemson during last season. And during this pandemic shutdown, Edwards has had Zoom meetings with both staffs and plenty of other contact.
“They are great schools, great programs,” Edwards said. “Both have achieved a lot the last couple of years. They play different styles. It’s great to have the good opportunities that are in front of me.”
Edwards said he’s also had Zoom meetings with Xavier, Missouri and Providence. He does not plan to shorten his list before making a decision. He will just evaluate all of his offers and then pick one. And he may have to make his decision without taking any official visits because the NCAA keeps extending the dead period due to the virus.
Edwards is rated a three-star in the 247Sports Composite. He’s ranked 28th nationally among power forwards and No. 5 in South Carolina.
Notes:
▪ A week after he had originally planned to announce his decision, 6-foot-3 combo guard Joshua Beadle of Cardinal Newman will announce his college decision Saturday. Beadle said he postponed his announcement last weekend because he couldn’t make a decision at that time. He is choosing from Clemson, Wake Forest, Furman, College of Charleston and Furman.
▪ The Gamecocks made the final six with four-star defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (6-foot-4, 317 pounds) of Manassas, Virginia. Joining the Gamecocks in the group are North Carolina, Alabama, LSU, Virginia Tech and Ohio State. Those six were left over from an offer list of over 30. Williams is ranked in the 247Sports Composite as the #10 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 5 prospect in Virginia. The Gamecocks have one defensive tackle committed for the 2021 class in Nick Barrett of Goldsboro, North Carolina.
▪ USC defensive end target George Wilson of Virginia Beach, Virginia tweeted Wednesday that he plans to drop some news on Thursday. He has his list down to USC, North Carolina, Penn State and Arizona State.
▪ South Carolina offered four-star 2022 defensive end Justice Finkley (6-foot-2, 255 pounds) of Trussville, Alabama. Some of his other offers are Penn State, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida State, Tennessee, Auburn, Maryland, Louisville, Michigan and Arkansas. He also has interest from Clemson and visited there in October. He also visited Tennessee and he camped last summer at Alabama. 247Sports ranks him No. 11 nationally among weakeside defensive ends and the No. 7 prospect in Alabama.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 12:02 PM.