Pool bash notebook: Gamecocks grab lead for Pete Leota

South Carolina’s inaugural pool bash seemed to be a big success with the prospects we reached.

While only one of them actually jumped into the (commitment) pool on Friday, South Pointe High athlete Chris Smith, the Gamecocks seem to help themselves with several others and are in position to added to their 2016 class in the days and weeks ahead.

Here’s a recap of what the prospects had to say:

▪  Offensive lineman Pete Leota of Asheville, NC, said USC now leads North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

“The visit went great,” Leota said. “We talked to coach Steve Spurrier. My family came down there, all seven of us. Talking to Coach Elliott and all other recruits who are committed, like Will Putnam. I think they (USC) are leading right now. My family likes it down there in South Carolina.

“I don’t know the timeframe (for a decision) right now. Any day,” he continued. “I just want to sit at a table with my family and discuss over the decision. Hopefully soon, before the season starts. I don’t want to worry about it during my season.”

▪  Defensive back Marlon Character of Atlanta did not make it to the pool party but plans to be at the camp Saturday. Character recently declared Auburn his leader and would like to make a commitment soon.

▪  Offensive lineman Akeem Cooperwood of Georgia Military College said he enjoyed the day and got a better look at the program.

“It was great,” he said. “ I got to meet the players and coaches. They showed me so much love it felt like I was already part of something special.”

Cooperwood is staying over to take a tour of the facilities and the campus Saturday. The Gamecocks are believed to be in strong shape with him.

▪  Junior college offensive lineman Ashton Julious of Florence did not make it to USC Friday but he hopes to visit again before returning to his school in Pennsylvania.

▪  Offensive lineman Marcus Tatum of Daytona Beach, Fla., said the visit went “very good. I really enjoyed sitting down with the offensive line.”

He also talked with line coach Shawn Elliott and got a tour of the campus.

“I like how they are always rebuilding,” he said.

Tatum said he “really likes South Carolina” and has the Gamecocks in his group of eight along with Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Miami, Arkansas, Alabama and NC State. He is going to Tennessee Saturday. He plans to take official visits before making a decision.

▪  Linebacker Vosean Joseph of Miami came into the visit committed to Florida and remains so, but he said USC is a strong No. 2 with him right now. He spent much of his time with coaches Lorenzo Ward and Kirk Botkin.

“Coach Botkin kept telling me that he wants to coach me and that he wants to be in my face,” Joseph said. “I’m really looking forward to going to their little camp tomorrow and see the facilities, how they practice and how the tempo goes.”

The Gamecocks still have work to do with him to overcome the Gators.

“They are still number two because I’m not going to go against my commitment,” he said. “But they are in the top for me.”

He does not plan to make a final decision until signing day. USC will get one of his official visits this fall. Two of Joseph’s teammates, wide receiver Korrell Evans and defensive back Andrew Hines, will participate in the camp Saturday and are hoping to land offers. The three would like to play together in college.

▪  Wide receiver Kelvin Harmon of Palmyra, N.J., said he enjoyed talking with the coaches but didn’t talk much football. He spent most of his time with quarterback commitment Brandon McIlwain.

“I think I like them even more,” Harmon said of the Gamecocks, adding that he doesn’t have a leader. He plans to announce Oct. 1 with USC, North Carolina, West Virginia, Temple, NC State and Rutgers on his list.

“I think how my official goes with my family” will be a big part of his decision, he said. USC most likely will get one, he said. Harmon is staying over to watch Saturday’s camp.

▪  Defensive lineman Kyree Campbell of Woodbridge, Va., did not make it to USC Friday because he had to work a high school camp, but he said USC is in a top five that he has not revealed. He visited USC last year and plans to visit again. He will announce a decision Oct. 29.

▪  Defensive end Jordan Smith of Lithonia, Ga., is staying overnight in Columbia. He is not expected to make a commitment to the Gamecocks while on this visit, but a source tells us a commitment could come next week at his school.

▪  USC offensive line target Brett Heggie of Mount Dora, Fla., committed to Florida Friday night while on an unofficial visit.

▪  Class of 2017 offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson of Brooklyn was at Clemson Thursday and will be at USC Saturday. On Friday afternoon he released his current top 10 schools: USC, Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Rutgers, Nebraska, Miami, Florida State and Maryland.

▪  Class of 2017 defensive back Carlito Gonzalez of Stone Mountain, Ga., a USC target, was offered Friday by Auburn.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 11:05 PM.