Irmo standout lands South Carolina offer
Irmo (S.C.) class of 2025 quarterback Aaron “A.J.” Brand landed his first Power 5 offer Monday when the South Carolina Gamecocks extended a scholarship his way.
Brand was on South Carolina’s campus nine days ago for the Gamecocks’ junior day. He has taken multiple prior visits to the school including for games and camp.
• Subscribe to Gamecock Central until Aug. 31 for only $29.99
South Carolina tight ends coach Jody Wright recruits the Midlands for South Carolina.
The 6-foot-2, 183-pounder is the son of Irmo head football coach Aaron Brand.
The younger Brand, an all-state selection in football as a sophomore, also excels on the basketball court.
Brand is not yet ranked by On3.
He also has an early offer from Charlotte.
Mario Anderson named a D2 transfer ‘you need to know’
This time last year South Carolina incoming transfer wide receiver Juice Wells was named one of the top FCS transfers according to On3’s Mike Huguenin.
This offseason another Gamecocks transfer who will look to make the jump to the SEC level is receiving some love.
Former Newberry College running back Mario Anderson who enrolled at South Carolina earlier this month was named one of Huguenin’s “Division II transfers you need to know in 2023” this week.
• Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page!
Said Huguenin:
Anderson (5 feet 9, 210 pounds) received some All-America notice after rushing for 1,560 yards and 19 TDs for Newberry, whose campus is about 45 miles northwest of South Carolina’s. Anderson rushed for 1,237 yards and 12 TDs in 2021. He had 16 100-yard outings in 30 career games at Newberry. South Carolina’s rushing attack wasn’t much in 2022 – and the top two rushers are gone (and one of those was a tight end who had been pressed into tailback duty). In short, ample playing time is available. Anderson’s performance in spring practice will be a big storyline for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina’s starter at running back for the 2022 season, MarShawn Lloyd, entered the transfer portal in December. The Gamecocks also lose seniors Christian Beal-Smith and Dante Miller.
For his career, Anderson has accumulated 3,301 yards, 35 rushing touchdowns, and has averaged 6.4 yards per carry.
There will be a significant chance to earn early playing time for Anderson next season at USC.
“Just to come in and work hard. That’s really the main thing,” Anderson told GamecockCentral.com after the Gamecocks offered. “The opportunity is there, it’s up to me.”
Following the 2022 season, Anderson earned Associated Press First-Team All-American honors for the Division II level. Anderson was also named to the All-American Second-Team by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association.
