After all the on-field success of 2010 for Gamecock Football, the momentum continued into recruiting and increased national recognition for South Carolina. The Gamecocks signed one of the top classes in the country including the consensus number one recruit Jadeveon Clowney, who was the third consecutive South Carolina Mr. Football to stay in-state with the Gamecocks (after Stephon Gilmore and Marcus Lattimore). As pivotal as recent in-state recruiting has been for the Gamecocks, important strides have been made recruiting outside the state as well. Quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus was named one of the top 25 football recruiters in the country by ESPN, Rivals.com, and 247sports.com after signing several recruits from Georgia and New Jersey. The New Jersey signees in particular (WR Damiere Byrd, QB Tanner McEvoy, and DB Sheldon Royster) caught the eye of recruiting experts around the country as it has not been a traditionally strong region of the country for the Gamecocks in recruiting and Rutgers was successful in keeping most of the top talent in-state. Former RB Cory Boyd is one of few past standout players from New Jersey who come to mind.
In response to the recognition as a top recruiter, Mangus said, "it's not a place South Carolina has gotten a lot of players in the past and those guys from New Jersey are highly rated so that's probably where it comes from. It's nice to be recognized in that group, though recruiting is definitely a team effort among the staff."
As an alum of South Carolina I obviously see the appeal, but I asked what Mangus sees as some of his top selling points, particular for out-of-state players. One biggie? The weather. "That's a big selling point," said Mangus, "especially when you go up to New Jersey in December or January during closing time." Other highlights include our facilities, playing in the SEC, the national television coverage which allows parents to watch them play, and the feel of a historic, old college campus in the middle of a city.
However the biggest selling point for any recruit is the gameday atmosphere here said Mangus. "The gameday environment is hard to beat that's why I try to get so many to come on official visits during the season. That SEC game day environment in Williams-Brice has been instrumental."
On-field success and winning certainly don't hurt. "No substitute," said Mangus. "Easiest thing in recruiting is winning. You play in the SEC Championship Game you don't get to go on the road recruiting that weekend when everybody else is, but you can tell them 'sorry, can't come see you this week, but you can watch us on TV Saturday night.' There's no substitute for that."
Through careful research and questioning, Mangus is also able to be very efficient and not spend too much energy on players doubtful to ever make the trek down South. "We try to identify early the ones who are interested in going out of state. There are two distinct groups of people there, the people who want to leave and those who stay." For example, Tanner McEvoy's mom is a graduate of SC and he has family down here, so he was one who would feel more comfortable leaving Jersey for Carolina.
Mangus grew up in the South, played quarterback at Florida (two years under Coach Steve Spurrier) and spent three years as a graduate assistant with the Gators before taking a job with Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1995 - his first time heading up north. He spent 11 years in the region, coaching also at Ursinus and Delaware Valley, before coming back south to Middle Tennessee State University and eventually South Carolina. "My wife's from Philly. I've still got friends for life up there and coaching buddies who are high school coaches," said Mangus. "Hopefully it's something we can continue to build on."
Mangus is certainly one helping put those building blocks in place and he is enjoying experiencing the recent firsts for the Gamecocks. "Winning the Eastern Division this year, it's hard to beat those feelings when it happens for the first time, especially back down in Gainesville, first time having coached there on [the opposing] sidelines. ... That was a lot of fun, neat to be a part of that environment.... Also, the Alabama game was something I'll never forget."
Looking toward the future, Mangus finds a few more recruiting selling points:
"What I most like about South Carolina is we have a bunch more of those [memories] in the future. To be a part of that right now... it's a great time to be a Gamecock. I really enjoy that and it's easier in recruiting. It's easy to sell, it's not a fake enthusiasm. It's a great time to be here. There's a lot of great things happening here and the good memories keep happening. I've been here two years and got a bunch of them already, but hopefully a bunch more in the future."
- Brittany Lane
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Spring Practice starts tomorrow. So what can fans look for at quarterback this spring?
Mangus: "Look for a good competition and progress out of the young guys, that's what spring practice is for. Dylan Thompson will get a chance, he redshirted last year so we'll see what he can do. This is a big spring for Andrew Clifford. He's been here a year and a half now it's time to show he can play. Seth Strickland, every time he goes in he seems to do something good whether it's the spring game or at the end of the game vs. Troy and Arkansas. They all have their individual stuff I've talked to them about. I want Stephen Garcia to continue to work hard and keep working on getting his fundamentals better. I want Connor Shaw to compete for the job. Healthy competition is good for everyone and they all know that. We'll try to get those young guys as many reps as we can. We've got a bunch of 'em, can't play 'em all though."
Spring Practice Note:
All spring practices are open to the public. However, photography (still or video) will only be allowed for the first 15 minutes of practice and no autographs will be allowed, which is important in minimizing distractions and helping players arrive and leave practice in a timely manner. We ask that fans please not put players in a tough situation by asking them to sign autographs.
"Most colleges close their spring practices," said Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier. "We believe it's important for our fans to get a chance to see our guys get to practice and play, and our players know that people are watching them. However, it's important that we don't have people seeking autographs at the practices. That's a distraction we don't need. The players have been told not to sign autographs before or after practices. If it becomes a problem, we will have to close the practices, and we don't want that to happen."
Click here for the full spring practice schedule, dates and times subject to change.
- Brittany Lane
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