Announcement details for key Gamecocks targets this weekend
It’s been clear for about a week now that this weekend was going to potentially be a massive one for the South Carolina football program in terms of some of its top 2023 recruiting targets.
It started with Roanoke (Va.) Patrick Henry four-star wide receiver Carmelo Taylor moving his commitment to this weekend. Then Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman four-star offensive lineman Markee Anderson announced a commit date of July 31. And shortly after that, Sumter (S.C.) four-star EDGE Monteque Rhames locked in his decision for July 30.
Hyattsville (Md.) Dematha four-star OL Oluwatosin Babalade — affectionately known as “Big Tree” — was also set to announce this weekend then decided Thursday night to move his decision back.
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Target announcement times
Sumter (S.C.) four-star EDGE Monteque Rhames – Saturday, 7 p.m.
Roebuck (S.C.) four-star OL Markee Anderson – Sunday, 3 p.m.
Roanoke (Va.) Patrick Henry four-star WR Carmelo Taylor – Sunday, 4 p.m.
Hyattsville (Md.) Dematha four-star OL Oluwatosin Babalade – Delayed until later date
ALSO SEE: Carolina Confidential – Gamecocks march towards eventful weekend
Rhames announcement has now been set for 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The On3 Consensus has Rhames as the No. 329 overall player in the country, No. 40 EDGE in the nation and No. 4 player from the state of South Carolina in the class of 2023.
The 6-foot-5, 244-pounder announced a top eight of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, NC State, Virginia Tech and UCF back in June — Alabama also offered the talented pass-rusher after he announced his top schools.
Anderson’s commitment is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The announcement, which will be part of a celebration dinner at his church, will be streamed on Anderson’s Instagram @BigKee_58 and on the YouTube page for 365 Grillin and Seafood, Anderson’s family’s food truck business.
The No. 127 overall prospect in the On300 for the class of 2023 has a final group of South Carolina, North Carolina, LSU and Clemson after taking official visits to all four.
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Anderson is the No. 143 overall prospect and No. 10 interior offensive lineman in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Taylor’s announcement is set for an hour later, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, the four-star receiver told Gamecock Central on Friday. Taylor will also stream his announcement on his Instagram @carmelotaylor4.
Taylor’s final group consists of South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Maryland, West Virginia, ECU, Liberty and Old Dominion.
The On3Consensus ranks Taylor as the No. 323 overall prospect in his class and the No. 45 wide receiver.
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Babalade, who was initially going to announce on Sunday, announced Thursday night that he was pushing his announcement back but that he’d have a “new date coming soon.”
The four-star from Maryland is considering South Carolina, Maryland, Ohio State and North Carolina.
Stick with GamecockCentral.com for complete coverage of what could be a huge weekend for the Gamecocks!
