Will Register helping recruit other players to USC’s 2017 class

Will Register’s role on the field won’t change much this season, but his role away from it has been a little different.

The Chapin tight end was the first commitment for South Carolina’s class of 2017 and is doing his best to get more players to join him. He is in regular communication with some of the Gamecocks’ targets and spoke to several of them at coach Will Muschamp’s cookout last month.

“We are getting some good commits for 2017,” Register said after practice Thursday. “They use me as a recruiter in the recruiting process. I definitely have been in contact with those guys and try to get them on the greatest campus in the world.”

Register, who was recruited by the previous Gamecocks coaching staff, has taken a strong liking to the new USC staff. He said he jumped out of his seat when he found out Will Muschamp was going to be the new Gamecocks’ coach and is in regular contact with Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper.

“The new staff is really hands on and I’m looking forward to be a part of it,” Register said. “I love coach Muschamp. He is a great guy, great coach and (I) love being around him.”

Register is firm in his commitment to USC. He grew up a Gamecock fan and has envisioned playing there. His grandparents and parents attended Carolina.

Register, who committed in June, is the highest ranked prospect for next year’s class and is ranked No. 225 in ESPN’s Top 300 for the Class of 2017. He is undecided on if he will enroll early in January.

Register has dealt with a hamstring injury the past week and did not play in Chapin’s spring game Friday night. His plans for this summer include attending some football camps but isn’t sure which ones and working on losing some weight.

The 6-foot-4 Register is at 249 pounds but hopes to get down to around 235-240 pounds by the start of the season.

Register had 40 catches for 644 yards and six touchdowns last year for Chapin, which advanced to the 3A upper state semifinals. Evan Estridge and Joe Flowers, the Eagles’ top two receivers from last year, have graduated along with Mr. Football finalist and quarterback Logan Bailey.

But Register has a great relationship with new quarterback Trad Beatty and doesn’t expect much of a drop off offensively.

“Trad Beatty is a great quarterback and great guy. He has come in and taken the reigns of the team,” Register said. “We have so many offensive weapons this year they are going to have to cover sideline to sideline.”

Chapin coach Justin Gentry said teams are going to focus more on stepping Register even more than they did last year, but he expects another big year from his tight end.

“Everyone knew who Will was going into the season last year. About midseason things started to fall into place. We are going to go to our go-to guys and Will is one of those guys,” Gentry said. “He has great hands for a big guy and people would be surprised how fast he is out in space.

“He is that vocal leader and pushes the younger guys and leads by example. He is turning out to be everything we thought he would be.”

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 9:53 PM.