South Carolina Football: By the Numbers, 2013 Recruiting Class an Underrated Gem

South Carolina didn't get a Jadeveon Clowney, Shaq Roland, Marcus Lattimore or Stephon Gilmore in the 2013 recruiting class. 

It's going to finish up ranked in the top 15-20,  but it lacks what many would call "star power."

That's okay. 

2013 is an underrated gem of a class that features many players of positional need that will end up being major players for the Gamecocks in the future.

There are eight 4-star players here.  There are no 2-star project guys.  There are a great deal many "fringe" 3-star players who are extremely close to being in that higher range. 

On Rivals.com, a 4-star player has to have a rivals rating of 5.8.  The Gamecocks have seven players that are 5.7's.  This is very close to 4-star ratings. 

The lowest rating are a pair of 5.5-rated defensive ends in Kendal Vickers and Devante Covington, who are both undersized and athletic defensive ends who could make a huge impact as outside linebackers rushing the quarterback. 

Again, linebacker is a position of need. 

I've never been a man who only looks at star ratings to view a recruiting class.  This class is very similar to 2012's in terms of ratings.  That class had eight 4-star players and seven 3-star guys who fall into that 5.7 Rivals Rating. 

There is a ton of a talent here.  The future still looks bright for South Carolina.  For those who think that this class is a disappointment, look beyond the number of stars.  The Gamecocks snatched up solid players in places they need. 

It's a good day for the Garnet and Black.