South Carolina making push for in-state football recruits who are committed elsewhere
South Carolina hosted several prospects who are committed to other schools, including some from within the state, on Saturday for its matchup against Akron.
Among those who were at Williams-Brice Stadium were Rock Hill’s Malik Clark (Florida State), Hammond’s Mike Tyler (LSU), Dutch Fork’s Josh Smith (Coastal Carolina) and Elgin Sessions (West Virginia), and Lancaster’s Kevin Peay (Georgia Tech).
This was Clark’s first visit to Columbia this season. The Rock Hill receiver surprised many when he picked the Seminoles over USC and UNC on July 25. But that hasn’t stopped South Carolina from recruiting him. That and FSU’s 1-3 start will give Clark something to think about.
Clark said he was able to talk to USC coach Shane Beamer and receivers coach Mike Furrey during this weekend’s visit.
“The visit and atmosphere was electric,” Clark told The State. “The message has always been the same. That USC is home and I’m still wanted in Columbia.”
Clark isn’t sure if he will make any more trips to USC. He visited FSU for the game against Memphis on Sept. 14. The Gamecocks have three receiver commitments for 2025 class but are interested in adding one or two more. Christ Church’s Jackson Repp also visited the game on Saturday.
The 6-foot-3 Clark is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports Composite, the No. 2 player in South Carolina and 30th-best receiver in the country. Through four games this season, Clark has 27 catches for 343 yards and two touchdowns.
Tyler also was making his first visit to a USC game this year after going to some last year. The Hammond tight end committed to LSU on Aug. 17, picking the Tigers over Duke and West Virginia. Talks to USC had cooled off in recent months, but the Gamecocks are still interested.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Tyler is ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports Composite and the 12th-best recruit in South Carolina for the Class of 2025. He has 15 catches for 288 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Smith and Sessions were two of six Dutch Fork players at the game along with Daniel Williams, Jarvis Jackson, Derek Smith and Tyler Norris. This was the second straight game Smith attended after going to USC’s matchup with LSU. The Gamecocks last week offered the Dutch Fork linebacker, who committed to Coastal in April.
“It was great, got to see inside the locker before and after the game and got to talk to a lot more of the coaches and Coach Beamer,” Smith said.
Smith plans on being back at USC for the game against Ole Miss on Oct. 5. Ole Miss also is recruiting him, and he plans on visiting there this week. Dutch Fork is off this week.
247Sports Composite ranks Smith as a three-star prospect and the 25th-best prospect in the state for the Class of 2025. He plays both linebacker and lines up on the edge at the line of scrimmage for the defending state champion Silver Foxes. The 6-foot-2, 228-pound Smith has 26 tackles, five for loss and three sacks this season.
Sessions, a defensive back, also was making his second straight game. He has yet to get an offer from USC. The 6-foot, 180-pounder is a three-star prospect and ranked the 24th player in the state by 247Sports Composite.
Sessions has nine tackles, three for loss and five pass break-ups this season.
“I’m not sure if they will offer or not, but if I’m able to make plays on tape then I should continue to open their eyes some more,” Sessions said.
This story was originally published September 23, 2024 at 8:59 AM.
