South Carolina Gamecocks Announce 2013 Football Recruiting Class

The South Carolina Gamecocks have announced their 20 member recruiting class with National Signing Day coming to a close. The Gamecocks were able to land signees from seven states along the east coast.

Here are the bios for each member of South Carolina’s 2013 recruiting class:

LARENZ BRYANT
Linebacker
6-0 215
Charlotte, N.C. (Vance)
Played both running back and linebacker for the Vance Cougars in Charlotte, N.C… coached by Keith Wilkes… named to the 2012 Associated Press all-state team… helped his squad to a 9-4 record as a senior… logged 1,694 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns on offense and notched 84 tackles with nine sacks on defense… played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas game and in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl following his senior season… rushed for 1,423 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior while recording 154 tackles with 23 tackles for loss… returned three of his four interceptions for touchdowns… notched 56 tackles as a sophomore as his team reached the state finals… a four-star prospect, the fourth-best player in the state, the fourth-best inside linebacker in the country and the 112th-best prospect in the nation according to Rivals… a four-star prospect and the nation’s seventh-best outside linebacker by Scout… a four-star prospect, the top player in North Carolina, the sixth-best outside linebacker in the country and the 50th-best player overall according to 247Sports… rated a four-star prospect and No. 237 on the ESPN300… a four-star prospect, the nation’s 44th-best player overall and the fifth-best “Big Back” by MaxPreps… a five-star prospect, the fourth-best outside linebacker in the country and No. 45 overall by PrepStar… selected South Carolina over a host of schools with Clemson, Florida, Virginia and Wake Forest also making his final list of five… born November 1, 1994.

MOHAMED CAMARA
SafetY
6-1 191
Cumming, Ga. (West Forsyth)
Prep linebacker who figures to play the Spur position at South Carolina… helped West Forsyth (Cumming, Ga.) to a 10-2 record, a region title and to the second round of the state playoffs as a senior… logged 102 tackles, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 12 tackles for loss and seven pass breakups on his way to Region 6 6A Defensive Player of the Year honors… named honorable mention all-state by the Atlanta Journal Constitution… added 300 yards rushing on 35 attempts with seven touchdowns on offense… coached by Frank Hepler… notched 110 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions as a junior… regarded as a threestar prospect, the 69th-best player in Georgia, and the 54th-best outside linebacker in the country by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 107th-best outside linebacker by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 85th-best player in the state, and the 85th-best outside linebacker in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 49th-best outside linebacker and an AllSoutheast Region pick by PrepStar… turned down offers from Southern Miss, East Carolina, UCF and Western Kentucky… born May 30, 1994.

PHAROH COOPER
Cornerback
5-11 194
HaveLock, N.C. (Havelock)
Versatile performer who could player either receiver or defensive back at South Carolina… helped Havelock (N.C.) to back-to-back 3A state titles… Rams went 15-1 during his senior season and a perfect 16-0 during his junior campaign… coached by Jim Bob Bryant… played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas game after his senior season… used at quarterback, running back, receiver and was the primary return man on punts and kickoffs in the Shrine game… finished with 253 total yards including a 45-yard TD run, earning offensive MVP honors for the North Carolina squad… also played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl… as a junior, rushed for 300 yards and caught 65 passes for 1,285 yards and 14 scores… registered 58 tackles with six interceptions… a four-star prospect and the state’s ninth-best player by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 120th-best wide receiver by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 15th-best player in the state, and the 24th-best “athlete” in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 62nd-best wide receiver and an All-Atlantic Region pick by PrepStar… also had offers from East Carolina and NC State… same high school that produced current Gamecock Corey Robinson… born March 7, 1995.

DEVAN’TE COVINGTON
Defensive end
6-4 220
Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond County)
Defensive end who helped Richmond County (Rockingham, N.C.) to an 11-2 record and the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs as a senior… coached by Paul Hoggard… named to the 2012 Associated Press all-state team… participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior season… as a junior, recorded 34 tackles and eight sacks… three-star prospect who was ranked as the 28th-best player in the state of North Carolina by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 42nd-best defensive end by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 17th-best player in the state, and the 20th-best weakside defensive end in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect and an All-Atlantic Region pick according to PrepStar… also had offers from Clemson, East Carolina, NC State and Tennessee… hails from the same high school that produced former Gamecock All-American Melvin Ingram… born March 6, 1994.

Kelsey Griffin
Defensive tackle
6-2 292
Buford, Ga. (Mill Creek)
Defensive tackle who recorded 108 total tackles including 10 sacks as a senior at Mill Creek High School (Hoschton, Ga.)… helped the Hawks to a 9-4 record and the third round of the 6A state playoffs as a senior… coached by Shannon Jarvis… named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Class AAAAAA all-state team… named second-team all-state by the Georgia Sportswriters Association… played in the Under Armour All-American game following his senior season… recorded 44 tackles with six tackles for loss as a junior, earning all-state and All-Gwinnett County accolades… four-star prospect who was regarded as the 10th-best player in Georgia, the seventh-best defensive tackle in the country and the 120th-best player overall on the Rivals250… a four-star prospect and the nation’s 13th-best defensive tackle according to Scout… a fourstar prospect, the eighth-best player in Georgia, the seventh-best defensive tackle in the country, the 78thbest player overall and a second-team All-American according to 247Sports… a four-star prospect, the 12thbest defensive tackle in the country and the 123rd-best player overall by PrepStar… considered the nation’s 12th-best defensive tackle by MaxPreps… rated a fourstar prospect and No. 100 on the ESPN150… named honorable mention on PARADE magazine’s All-America team… had numerous offers including Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee… born September 19, 1994.

Ali Groves
Cornerback
5-10 184
Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson)
Two-way standout who figures to be a cornerback at South Carolina… played wide receiver and defensive back for the Stephenson Jaguars in Stone Mountain, Ga… coached by Ronald Gartrell… team went 9-3 in his senior season… played just four games as a junior due to injury, finishing with 23 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles… also ran in the sprint events and competed in the long jump in track & field… threestar prospect who was the state’s 78th-best player and the 74th-best “athlete” in the country according to Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 110th-best cornerback by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 45thbest player in the state, and the 39th-best cornerback in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 55th-best cornerback in the country and an All-Southeast Region pick according to PrepStar… numerous offers included Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Missouri, Vanderbilt and NC State… mother went to T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C… prepped with current Gamecocks Kyle Fleetwood, Kadetrix Marcus and Mike Davis… born September 16, 1994.

David Johnson
Linebacker
6-1 268
Lithonia, Ga. (Lithonia)
Linebacker who recorded 109 tackles including 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior in 2012 at Lithonia (Ga.) High School… Bulldogs posted a 3-7 record… coached by Marcus Jelks… named firstteam Class AAAA all-state by the Atlanta Journal Constitution… played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl following his senior campaign… had 94 tackles including 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks with three forced fumbles as a junior… notched 105 tackles with 10 sacks as a sophomore… earned All-DeKalb County honors… a three-star prospect who was considered the 30th-best player in the state and the 29th-best outside linebacker in the country, according to Rivals… a three-star prospect and the 62nd-best defensive end in the country by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 37thbest player in the state, and the 17th-best weakside defensive end in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 24th-best outside linebacker and an AllSoutheast Region pick by PrepStar… had numerous offers including Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, NC State, Pitt and Vanderbilt… prepped with current Gamecock Cedrick Cooper… born January 20, 1995.

Bryce King
Offensive lineman
6-3 281
Dillon, S.C. (Dillon)
Started on the offensive line for Class AA I state champion Dillon (S.C.) High School… the Wildcats went 14-1 during his senior season… coached by Jackie Hayes… played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior season… also played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif… three-star prospect who was considered the sixth-best player in the state and the third-best center in the country by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 12th-best center by Scout… a three-star prospect, the eighthbest player in the state, and the eighth-best center in the country by 247Sports… a four-star prospect and the second-best center in the country by PrepStar… also had offers from Clemson, LSU, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech… hails from the same high school that produced current Gamecock Kwinton Smith… born October 4, 1994.

Alan Knott
Offensive lineman
6-4 272
Tyrone, Ga. (Sandy Creek)
Helped the Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.) Patriots to a pair of state titles, including a perfect 15-0 mark in 2012… coached by Chip Walker… named first-team Class AAAA all-state by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and by the Georgia Sportswriters Association… played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif. following his senior season… regarded as a threestar prospect, the 61st-best player in Georgia and the 53rd-best offensive tackle in the country according to Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 30th-best offensive guard by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 43rd-best player in the state, and the 27th-best offensive guard in the country by 247Sports… a threestar prospect, the 43rd-best offensive guard and an All-Southeast Region pick by PrepStar… had many offers including Kentucky, Miami, Virginia Tech and North Carolina… David Alan Knott was born December 16, 1994.

Ronnie Martin
Cornerback
5-11 173
Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg/Georgia Military)
Cornerback who enrolled at Carolina in January
2013… originally signed with South Carolina in February 2011… attended Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga., for the 2011-12 academic year and the fall of 2012… coached by Bert Williams… saw limited playing time in 2012 after being sidelined early in the season with a hamstring injury… in three games, logged 10 tackles and three interceptions while forcing a pair of fumbles… in 2011, had 11 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and six pass breakups… considered a three-star prospect and the nation’s 31st-best junior college prospect by Rivals… regarded as a three-star prospect, the fifth-best junior college player in Georgia, the sixth-best JUCO cornerback in the nation, and the 88th-best JUCO player in the country according to 247Sports… a three-star prospect by Scout… played cornerback for Freddy Brown Sr. at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School graduating in 2011… participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior season… was a first-team all-state selection as a junior for the Vikings when he totaled 44 tackles, eight pass breakups, six blocked kicks, 930 total return yards including four touchdown returns… also ran track where he recorded times of 10.6 in the 100m and 21.7 in the 200m… regarded as a threestar prospect, the 16th-best player in South Carolina and the 46th-best cornerback in the country by Rivals coming out of high school… regarded as a three-star prospect and the 60th-best cornerback by Scout… was a three-star prospect according to 247Sports… named to PrepStar’s All-Atlantic Region class… offers included Illinois, LSU, Maryland, Nebraska and Wake Forest.

Connor Mitch
Quarterback
6-3 219
Raleigh, N.C. (WakefieLd)
Quarterback who enrolled at Carolina in January 2013 after graduating from Wakefield High School in Raleigh, N.C in December 2012… a four-year starter… coached by Rod Sink… ranks second in four career categories in North Carolina high school history, passing for 12,078 yards with 1,384 attempts, 807 completions and 153 touchdowns… threw for 4,661 yards and 63 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes as a senior, leading the Wolverines to an 11-2 record… set the state record with nine touchdown passes in a win over Broughton, one shy of the national record… as a junior, threw for 3,832 yards and 48 touchdowns as the team went 9-3… earned all-state and all-region honors… threw for 3,300 yards and 33 scores as a sophomore, leading Wakefield to a 9-3 mark… fourstar prospect who was regarded as the seventh-best player in the state, the 13th-best pro-style quarterback in the country and ranked No. 248 on the Rivals250… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 44th-best quarterback by Scout… a four-star prospect, the seventh-best player in the state, the 13th-best pro-style quarterback and ranked No. 243 overall by 247Sports… rated a four-star prospect and No. 226 on the ESPN300… considered the 10th-best pro-style quarterback in the country by MaxPreps… a three-star prospect, the 15thbest pro-style quarterback in the country and the 167thbest player overall by PrepStar… named honorable mention on PARADE magazine’s All-America team… chose the Gamecocks over Alabama, LSU, Auburn and North Carolina… father, Bob Mitch, played quarterback and safety at Syracuse in the early 1970s and had a brief stint in the NFL…. brother, Ryan, played quarterback at Maryland… sister, Brittany, played basketball at Duke.

Skai Moore
Linebacker
6-2 205
Cooper City, FLa. (University)
Linebacker who helped Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School to an undefeated season and the 3A state title as a senior… coached by Roger Harriott… racked up 14 tackles and a sack in the championship game for the Suns… totaled 103 tackles with six sacks and four interceptions during his final season… the Suns posted five shutouts and limited seven of their opponents to three points or less… credited with 70 tackles including 18 tackles for loss during his junior campaign… a four-star prospect and the 43rd-best player in the state and the No. 19 outside linebacker in the nation according to Rivals… a three-star recruit and the No. 29 outside linebacker prospect in the country per Scout… considered a four-star prospect the 45th-best player in Florida and the 22nd-best outside linebacker in the country by 247Sports… named All-Southeast Region by PrepStar… originally committed to Rutgers… also considered Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Arkansas.

D.J. Park
Offensive lineman
6-4 335
Dillon, S.C. (Dillon)
Offensive lineman who enrolled at Carolina in January 2013 after graduating from Dillon (S.C.) High School in December 2012… started at left tackle for the Class AA I state champions… the Wildcats went 14-1 during his senior season… coached by Jackie Hayes… participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif… named to the MaxPreps 2012 Small Schools All-American Football team…earned all-region and all-state honors as a junior… four-star prospect who was the state’s third-best player, the 19th-best offensive tackle in the land and the nation’s 220th-best prospect according to Rivals… a four-star prospect and the nation’s 23rd-best offensive tackle, and No. 294 on the Scout300 list… a four-star prospect, the fifth-best player in the state, and the 16th-best offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports… considered a four-star prospect, the nation’s second-best offensive tackle and the 52nd-best player overall by MaxPreps… a four-star prospect, the 20th-best offensive tackle in the country and the 178th-best player overall by PrepStar… had offers from numerous other schools throughout the Southeast, including Auburn, Clemson, Florida, LSU and Tennessee… hails from the same high school that produced current Gamecock Kwinton Smith.

Na’ty Rodgers
Offensive lineman
6-5 296
Waldorf, Md. (McDonough)
Offensive lineman who helped McDonough High Rams (Pomfret, Md.) to a 9-2 record as a senior… coached by Luke Ethington… played in the Chesapeake Bowl all-star game and in the Under Armour All-America Game following the season… rated as a four-star prospect, the sixth-best player in the state, the 15th-best offensive tackle in the country and No. 181 overall by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the 22nd-best offensive guard in the nation according to Scout… considered a four-star prospect, the seventh-best player in the state and the 20th-best offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports… ranked as the nation’s 15th-best offensive tackle by MaxPreps… a PrepStar All-American…had a slew of offers from all over the country ultimately chose South Carolina over Maryland, with Florida State, Washington and Oklahoma also in the mix… father first placed at Oklahoma then transferred to Washington…
born February 3, 1995.

Jasper Sasser
Safety
6-0 192
Jacksonville, FLa. (Wolfson)
Played running back, quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Fla… likely will begin his Carolina career at safety but could also play receiver… coached by Walter Williams… Wolfpack went 3-7 in his senior season… fractured his foot during his senior season and underwent surgery… missed most of the football season but returned to the basketball hardwood… in four games on the gridiron he passed for over 300 yards, had 298 yards receiving and five touchdowns on offense… also had 15 tackles and returned two kickoffs for scores… rushed for 2,000 yards and 17 scores as a junior… earned all-district honors as both a sophomore and junior… three-star prospect who was ranked as the 59th-best “athlete” in the nation and 96th on the Florida top-100 by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 84th-best safety by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 156th-best player in the state, and the 79th-best “athlete” in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 47th-best safety and an All-Southeast Region pick by PrepStar… turned down offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, NC State, South Florida and Stanford among others… born November 30, 1993.

Jamari Smith
Running back
5-10 183
Jacksonville, Fla. (Fletcher)
Running back who prepped at Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Fla… team went 12-3 in his senior season under head coach Josh Corey… tallied 2,178 yards on the ground with 24 touchdowns earning firstteam Class 8A all-state honors as a junior… did not have a fumble in 295 carries as a junior while garnering Florida Times-Union Offensive Player of the Year accolades… three-star prospect, the 43rd-best running back in the nation and ranked 82nd on the Florida top 100 according to Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 61st-best running back by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 64th-best player in the state, and the 14th-best all-purpose back in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 33rd-best running back and an All-Southeast Region pick by PrepStar… selected South Carolina over Wake Forest but drew scholarship offers from multiple programs including Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Virginia, West Virginia, and others… born October 19, 1994.

Gerald Turner
Defensive end
6-2 256
Goose Creek, S.C. (Goose Creek)
Defensive end who finished his senior season with 93 tackles and eight sacks for Goose Creek (S.C.) High School… coached by Chuck Reedy… team went undefeated during his senior season… participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following his senior season… recorded six tackles, including 1.5 for loss, an interception and two pass breakups in that contest… also played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl… tallied 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss with nine sacks, six forced fumbles, five pass breakups and five blocked punts during his junior season, helping his team to the 4A Division II state title, all-state honors and Defensive Player of the Year accolades… also returned an interception 80 yards for a score and recovered a blocked punt for a TD… notched 40 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore… regarded as a three-star prospect, the eighth-best player in the state and the 23rd-best inside linebacker in the country according to Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 56th-best middle linebacker by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 10th-best player in the state, and the 34th-best inside linebacker in the country by 247Sports… was the nation’s 16th-best inside linebacker by MaxPreps… a four-star prospect, the ninth-best inside linebacker in the country and the 156th-best player overall by PrepStar… also had offers from Clemson and North Carolina… prepped with current Gamecock Brandon Shell… born December 28, 1994.

J.P. Vonashek
Offensive lineman
6-6 283
Saint MaryS, Ga. (Camden County)
Offensive lineman who played at Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)… coached by Jeff Herron… the Wildcats went 11-2 in his senior season… previously attended Glynn Academy… played in the Rising Seniors Georgia Junior Bowl following his junior campaign… three-star prospect who was regarded as the 62nd-best player in the state and the 54th-best offensive tackle in the country by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 60th-best offensive tackle by Scout… a three-star prospect, the 56th-best player in the state, and the 44th-best offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports… a three-star prospect, the 51th-best offensive tackle and an All-Southeast Region pick by PrepStar… also had offers from Florida State, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee among others… James P. Vonashek was born October 10, 1994.

Jonathan Walton
Linebacker
6-0 234
Daphne, Ala. (Bayside Academy)
Played linebacker at Bayside Academy in Daphne, Ala… helped the Admirals to a 7-5 record as a senior… logged 122 tackles and three blocked punts during his final season… coached by Phil Lazenby… regarded as a three-star prospect, the No. 20 player in the state of Alabama and the 21st-best inside linebacker in the nation by Rivals… a three-star recruit and the No. 46 middle linebacker in the country according to Scout… considered a three-star prospect, the 21st-best player in the state and the 39th-best inside linebacker in the country by 247Sports… named All-Southeast Region by PrepStar… originally committed to Penn State… also officially visited Auburn, Tennessee and Minnesota… born September 20, 1994.

Devin Washington
Defensive end
6-3 225
Orlando, Fla. (Jones)
Played defensive end for Jones High School in Orlando… coached by Jerry Howard… helped the Fightin’ Tigers to a 7-5 record as a senior… member of the Orlando Sentinel’s 2013 Super 60… played at East River before transferring to Jones before his junior season… logged 55 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a junior and 43 tackles with 9.5 sacks as a sophomore… rated a three-star prospect, the state’s 58th-best player and the nation’s No. 20 weakside defensive end by Rivals… a three-star prospect and the nation’s 57th-best defensive end by Scout… a four-star prospect, the 48th-best player in the state, and the 14th-best weakside defensive end in the country according to 247Sports… considered the 25th-best defensive end in the nation by MaxPreps… a three-star prospect, the 16th-best defensive end in the country and an All-Southeast Region pick according to PrepStar… also had offers from Boston College, Cincinnati and Clemson among others… born March 24, 1995.

David Williams
Running back
6-1 200
Philadelphia, Pa. (Imhotep Charter)
Rushed for 1,904 yards on 195 carries (9.8 per rush) with 23 touchdowns as a senior at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia… led the Panthers to a 14-1 record… coached by Albie Crosby… played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif… following his senior season… earned first-team All-City honors as a junior when he fell just short of 2,000 yards rushing… a four-star recruit, the eighth-best player in the state and the 21st-best running back in the country according to Rivals… a four-star prospect and the nation’s 23rd-best running back by Scout… a four-star prospect, the seventh-best player in the state, the eighth-best running back in the country and the 146th-best player overall according to 247Sports… rated a four-star prospect and No. 131 on the ESPN150… considered the nation’s 11th-best running back by MaxPreps… turned down offers from Ohio State, Arizona State, Tennessee, Miami, Arizona, Auburn and Boston College among others… born June 17, 1994.