SEC Recruiting Grades After National Signing Day: Alabama, Tennessee on Top

Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier looks on during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

8. South Carolina Gamecocks

Rivals Class Rank: No. 19

Steve Spurrier appeared dead in the water at one point during last year and once again when it came to recruiting with Clemson so far ahead throughout the year. The Tigers still won the recruiting battle in the state, but South Carolina was not too shabby.

Given how awful the defense was last year, adding defensive ends Marquavius Lewis, Dante Sawyer, and Shameik Blackshear, defensive tackle Dexter Wideman, defensive back Octavis Johnson, and linebacker Sherrod Pittman are huge additions to an absolutely terrible defense from last year. And these guys get to immediately be entered into the 3-4 scheme which, combined with the rest of the players on that side having a year of it under their belt, should make this a much better defensive season.

Spurrier also picked up a 4-Star quarterback, Lorenzo Nunez, a position he needs to find with the disaster that was Dylan Thompson finally gone. And with offensive linemen Zack Bailey, 4-star wide receivers Jalen Christian and Dexter Neal, and 4-star tight end Christian Owens, he still managed to get the right pieces to run his offense.

For what Spurrier needs and what this class has, he’s got a great recruiting class. In the grand scheme of the SEC, though, it still may not be enough to accomplish his goal of winning an SEC Championship with the Gamecocks, so his grade has to be knocked down a bit.

Grade: B+

Next: No. 7 Ranked SEC Recruiting Class