This Gamecocks blog recently answered some questions proposed by SouthernPigskin.com writer Ryne Hancock.  Here is his questions and our answers on the 2011 Gamecocks Recruiting Class -

Wow is one of the best words to describe the reaction you have when watching Jadeveon Clowney on the football video below. 

Clowney is the number one recruit in the country and an absolute freak at defensive end. He’s 6’6”, 240 and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. ESPN has him rated as a 95 but what is amazing about that is the fact no one else is higher than 87.  It is going to be real nice seeing him in the garnet and black in 2011...

Jadeveon Clowney, along with being the nation's top recruit and future Gamecock, is a magazine cover star.  This will not be his last time he is on the cover of a sports magazine as his future is bright and he is set to bring havoc to the SEC East as a starting defensive lineman for USC.  Just you wait...

Oh and here is the screen shot of ESPN The Magazine that we are talking about with Clowney -

Here is a good video and article on Jadeveon Clowney, the nation's top recruit, conducted by ESPN.  I have to agree with Deon Sanders on this one, when he told Clowney... "Keep your head up. You're pretty good."

Do watch the video and do read ESPN's Bruce Feldman story HERE.

Not much of a surprise as all indications leading up to Roderick Byers making his college choice known was he was leaning towards the Ducks.  Byers made his decsion known today at his school (Northwestern) that he will take his defensive end skills to Oregon.  He chose OU over USC. 

Again not a shock as USC has a numbers issue and many other defensive linemen in the class.  What did surprise me is the Byers is the first player from South Carolina to commit to the Oregon Ducks out of high school....Byers is already making history.

Gamecocks football recruiting is going strong after a big weekend that had lots of guys in and now the final touches are being done to close on a few guys and solidfy the others.  Many schools are working extremely hard to put the wraps on the Class of 2011 as recruiting is not over until the papers are signed and the ink is dry.  This late in the game you must not let up for one second.  Just look at the recruitment of Finne or Henry on how things can change and keep a eye on Mason Harris as the 'Canes are making a run for him.

The Gamecocks are sitting, as of today, with 30 recruits and keep in mind four are already enrolled.  There are still names on the board to watch - Clowney, Dukes, Adams, Byers and Cooper.  Let's recap and update some of the current activity...

Cedrick Cooper is confused and it is causing me to be confused.  The highly talented linebacker out of Lithonia, Ga., does not know if he will sign with Arkansas or South Carolina.  Oh, and let's not forget a late charge by Ole Miss.  Seems he gives his verbal pledge to anyone or maybe he truly does not know where he wants to go yet.

The other day he was indicating that he was going to sign with USC, then reports this morning surface that he gave his verbal to Arkansas.  So as of now, it seems he is going to be a Razorback.  USC recruiter Lorenzo Ward is scheduled to see Cooper Wednesday.  Outside linebacker Cedrick Cooper has an official visit scheduled to Ole Miss on Jan. 28.

He is a great linebacking prospect that USC could surely use and hope USC can get him.  He has great awareness and a good feel for the game not to mention his size and speed.  Keep your fingers crossed that Coach Ward can convince him that his services are needed at USC and he could be the next Eric Norwood.  Lots to watch for in the closing days with this guy.

Northwestern DE Roderick Byers is set to decide between the Oregon Ducks and the USC Gamecocks.  Indications are he plans to announce for the Ducks Wednesday afternoon at a 4:00 p.m. news conference at his school.

This should not be a surprise as it has seemed that Byers was heading that direction for awhile now.  Maybe he will shock us and say he is a Gamecock but I doubt it.  With the "numbers" showing the Gamecock class is tight for space and that there are already a few quality defensive end propspects in the class, Oregon is a good place for him.  Looking at OU message boards they are excited to get him as Byers is quick off the edge and has a strong platform to only get bigger.

Byers had offers from USC, Oregon, Georgia Tech, Maryland, the Wahoos and Wake Forest among others.  He was high on GT early on then USC and now it seems the yellow socks are screaming his name...Good luck Mr. Byers as Oregon is certainly a great place to play and visit.  Make sure to check back in and see which feathered mascot he desires.

Jared Henry of Jacksonville, FL has decommitted from USC and now has given his verbal to playing football at Central Florida.  This is a little bit of a suprise to some degree as he just visited South Carolina this past weekend.  

Henry, a three star prospect, was projected to be a defensive back or safety for South Carolina but now will take his game to the Golden Knights.  He had visited Central Florida the weekend prior to his USC trip.

Some may be asking why....I can only figure that the recent verbal pledges given by Sheldon Royster and Ahmad Christian was writing on the wall.  Meaning their was a playing time issue combined with being closer to home.  The Gamecocks, along with the two mentioned, have a deep secondary class coming in with Ronnie Martin, Brison Williams, Kadetrix Marcus and potentially Martay Mattox.  Oh and I am sure with the Gamecocks sitting previously at 31 recruits, a discussion was held (can not confirm this, just a hunch) about a greyshirt.  Anywho...Henry is now a UCF guy and good luck to him.

His decision leaves USC with 30 commitments for the Class of 2011 as of today.

The USC Gamecocks have ended their recruitment of former signee DL Leon Mackey of Hinds JC, MS.  Seems the numbers, as USC has 31 verbals heading into signing day, and commiments of other interior defensive linemen have pushed Mackey out of the picture. 

Mackey, if you recall, signed with the Gamecocks in 2009 out of Hargrave Prep, VA but didn't qualify. He spent the past two seasons at Hinds and developed into a solid linemen.  He had USC in his final four with Tennessee, Mississippi State and Texas Tech.  Now the Gamecocks have backed off the four star recruit and Mackey is likely to go with UT or MSU if I had to guess. 

Leon is a solid kid that will have a immediate impact but with everything USC has going with a large class and other guys on the DL, it is no surprise that the Gamecocks ran out of patience for Leon's services.