South Carolina National Signing Day 2014: Instant Updates and Analysis

South Carolina is going to be a major factor on national signing day. This SEC powerhouse could bring in one of the best crops of talent in the nation when all is said and done.

Many of the top recruits around the nation have been considering giving their pledge to play for the Gamecocks, and it’s time to see if they plan on following through.

Head coach Steve Spurrier is renowned for his ability to recruit and is now ready to bring in his 10th class since taking over at the helm of this program. He’s brought in the likes of Jadeveon Clowney, Marcus Lattimore, Alshon Jeffery and Stephon Gilmore—a group that represents some of the most superb talent in the country over the last few years.

Will Spurrier add to his sterling resume this year and bring in a few more gems, or has the 68-year-old lost his touch? Let’s take a look at what South Carolina is doing on national signing day.

PLAYER	POS	LOCATION	HT	WT	STARS	GRADE
ENROLLEES
HARD COMMITS
Abu Lamin	#14 DT (JC)	Fayetteville, NC,Fort Scott Community College	6'4''	300	4	90
Dante Sawyer	#9 DE	Suwanee, GA, North Gwinnett High School	6'3''	250	4	95
D.J. Smith	#12 CB	Marietta, GA, Walton High School	6'0''	182	4	92
Kevin Crosby	#4 TE-H	Bamberg, SC, Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School	6'1''	240	4	89
Chris Lammons	#12 ATH	Fort Lauderdale, FL, Plantation High School	5'10''	171	4	92
Shaquille Davidson	#17 WR	Gaffney, SC, Gaffney High School	6'0''	170	4	92
Bryson Allen-Williams	#10 OLB	Ellenwood, GA, Cedar Grove High School	6'1''	230	4	95
Donell Stanley	#14 OG	Latta, SC, Latta High School	6'4''	312	4	93
Terry Googer	#33 ATH	College Park, GA, Woodward Academy	6'4''	203	3	88
Darin Smalls	#23 S	Summerville, SC, Summerville High School	5'11''	205	3	87
Jhaustin Thomas	#10 DT (JC)	Decatur, GA, Trinity Valley Community College	6'6''	275	3	87
Darrius Caldwell	#4 DE (JC)	Atlanta, GA, Pearl River Community College	6'5''	245	3	87
Kalan Ritchie	#17 TE-Y	Goose Creek, SC, Goose Creek High School	6'6''	226	3	85
Malik Young	#36 OG	Piedmont, SC, Woodmont High School	6'3''	286	3	86
Joe Blue	#29 ILB	Dillon, SC, Dillon High School	6'0''	235	3	85
Tyshun Samuel	#196 WR	Inman, SC, Chapman High School	6'0''	180	3	85
Al Harris	#87 CB	Fort Lauderdale, FL, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School	5'11''	158	3	85
Taylor Stallworth	#109 DT	Mobile, AL, Murphy High School	6'1''	263	3	85
Michael Scarnecchia	#69 QB-PP	Orange Park, FL, Fleming Island High School	6'4''	186	3	81
Blake McClain	#22 SDE	Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sandalwood)	6'4"	280	3	87
Wesley Green	#13 CB	Lithonia, GA, Martin Luther King High School	5'11''	173	4	93

Latest Updates 

Wesley Green, CB

Green added to a good signing day for Steve Spurrier, as he committed to the Gamecocks, (via Brad Senkiw of the Anderson Independent Mail):

Lorenzo Carter, DE

South Carolina missed on a big impact signing, as Carter committed to Georgia over South Carolina (via Seth Emerson of The Macon Telegraph):

Chris Lammons, CB

Lammons excited South Carolina fans, deciding to sign with the Gamecocks on signing day (via Steve Gorten of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel):

Rashaan Evans, OLB

Evans opted against joining South Carolina in favor of another SEC school (via ESPN College Football):

Damian Prince, OT

Princechose to join the ACC instead of attending South Carolina, as documented by ESPN's College GameDay:

Top Commits

Dante Sawyer, DE

Sawyer is a dominant defensive end with the versatility to play a number of other positions on the field, including outside linebacker. He has a nose for the football and always seems to be making a play on the opposing player holding it.

The 6’2.5”, 262-pound beast possesses elite strength and great burst off the line, making him an ideal pass-rusher at the next level. Sawyer’s ability to pursue isn’t off the charts, but there won’t be too many quarterbacks or ball-carriers evading him if he’s in the backfield immediately after the snap.

Best of all, Sawyer has a motor that just doesn’t quit. He isn’t going to take plays off, and that will add up over the course of a game. He’s also smart, a trait best observed when watching him use his instincts to identify and blow up screens as soon as they appear.

The Gamecocks have a real prize in Sawyer, and it shouldn’t be long before he’s making plays under the bright lights of Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturdays.

Bryson Allen-Williams, OLB

Allen-Williams is yet another top-tier defensive product who Spurrier has recruited to hone his talents down at South Carolina.

This kid can simply play, as he’s fast and athletic enough to do a little of everything. Whether he’s rushing the passer, dropping back into coverage or in pursuit of the ball-carrier, Allen-Williams always seems to be in the right place at the right time and looking to make a play.

At 6’1”, 222 pounds, he definitely has the size to play outside linebacker for the Gamecocks. His strength and power is getting there, although some time in the weight room and on a college meal plan will have him right where he needs to be in no time.

The sky is the limit for this young man, as he could be one of the unique and most destructive defenders on a roster chock-full of devastating players on that side of the football.

D.J. Smith, CB

Smith is a lengthy cornerback with height above the six-foot mark, an asset that could make him the next elite defensive back to ply his trade in Columbia.

His current skill set would be best utilized in a Cover 2 scheme, but the Marietta, Ga., native has the speed, athleticism and drive to succeed regardless of the system.

Smith is instinctive as can be and is great at making plays on the ball. He is able to jump up and grab it at the highest point but also has the discipline to stay home on his man and not take high-risk gambles that cost his team.

Watch the tape on this kid and you will see he has fluid hips and the ability to turn and match his mark stride for stride, exactly what you want to see in a 4-star recruit at his position.

If he continues to remain aggressive and work on filling out his frame, Smith could be one of the best corners South Carolina has seen in some time.

All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.com.