Shaq Attack
By Ritch
SouthernPigskin.com
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The 2012 South Carolina Gamecocks recruiting class grew quickly as three verbal commitments from three highly talented wide receivers came in a flurry. Coach Steve Spurrier has to be pleased with the future of the Gamecocks receiving corps with the recent additions of – Shaq Roland (Lexington, SC), Jody Fuller (Monroe, NC) and Kwinton Smith (Dillon,SC).
Roland, who is ranked as the No. 63 overall prospect and No. 8 overall wide receiver by Rivals.com, gave his verbal commitment to Gamecocks receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. after indicating on his Facebook – “it’s finally done. I’ve committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks.”
The Lexington High School standout is the State of South Carolina’s top overall prospect and is listed at 6’1” and 170 pounds. Roland, a 5-star rated receiver, chose the Gamecocks over SEC rivals Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Landing Roland marks the fourth straight recruiting cycle that South Carolina has landed the state’s top overall prospect. In 2011, it was defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the nation’s top prospect and in the Class of 2010, it was running back Marcus Lattimore. In 2009, it was current USC cornerback Stephon Gilmore of South Pointe.
Jody Fuller made his announcement on ESPNU’s “The Opening” and contributed his decision to the early offer from a persistent USC coaching staff. The 6-foot, 205-pounder picked USC over offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, NC State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and several others.
Fuller, the nation’s No. 16 receiver prospect, is rated as a four star prospect by Rivals and according to 247Sports; he is a four-star prospect with an overall grade of 94 and 4.4 speed.
Kwinton Smith gave his pledge to South Carolina earlier in the same week of the others and this likely caused him not to get the notoriety of the others. He is expected to become a 4-star receiver once Rivals.com and 247sports updates their rankings in the fall. He has legit talent and has a unique combo of speed and size, as he is 6’4” and has a 206 pound frame. Smith chose the Gamecocks over offers from Florida, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Notre Dame, NC
State, Wake Forest, Tennessee, and several others.
The trio of wide receiver commitments now gives the Gamecocks 13 verbal commitments in their 2012 recruiting class.
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