Five prospect cookout storylines
South Carolina is set to host multiple top targets on its campus Saturday for a prospect cookout. Here are some storylines to watch:
The Mallard Creek trio - The trio of prospects from Charlotte's Mallard Creek have been mainstays on the South Carolina campus and they'll be back in town for Saturday's prospect cookout. Three-star offensive lineman Eric Douglas is, of course, already committed to the Gamecocks with South Carolina working uncommitted offensive lineman TJ Moore and North Carolina wide receiver commitment Ryan Jones.
Moore has been considered a lean to South Carolina for some time as he and Douglas have always liked Shawn Elliott and talked about playing ball together. Jones is a big newer to the picture for the Gamecocks, but he has visited before. Saturday is another opportunity for the Carolina staff to bond with the trio of prospects and convince them that they should all wear the same uniform in college.
Another visit for top 2018 prospect - Florence (S.C.) Wilson defensive end Xavier Thomas is the top prospect in the state of South Carolina's class of 2018 and he'll be back on campus Saturday. Thomas is a national level recruit and with good reason as he's an elite pass-rusher who also has size and versatility. He could play any number of positions in the Gamecocks' scheme. Thomas was on campus for junior day earlier this year. Any time you can get a prospect like him on campus, it's a big win and a big opportunity for the staff with one of its top targets.
Big-time cornerback returns - With an offer list that includes South Carolina, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, NC State and Tennessee, there's good reason that Tre Shaw is considered one of the country's best. There's also no secret that Carolina has a huge need at defensive back and prospects the caliber of Shaw should have every opportunity to play early in Columbia. Shaw appeared to take notice during his two-day trip earlier this spring and he's also hit it off with defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson. Carolina appears to be firmly in the hunt with him.
Jay Urich back on campus - Piedmont (S.C.) Wren three-star quarterback Jay Urich landed an offer from South Carolina last week. The 6-foot-3 dual-threat quarterback has been on campus a number of times, including last for the spring game, but will take his first trip as an offered prospect. This will not only allow him to continue to build on an already-strong relationship with co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper, but to also get to know some of the many other prospects that the Gamecocks are recruiting in this class. While Urich isn't naming any favorites, Carolina finds itself in excellent position with the in-state prospect.
Who commits? - The biggest question that even the most casual of recruiting fans will ask prior to an event like this: who commits? Could Moore, with a committed teammate around, choose to pull the trigger on a commitment? Could a local kid like Dutch Fork's Austin Connor get caught up and decide to pledge to the home team? Could a prospect pop the surprise commitment? These things can be very unpredictable.
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