South Carolina Class Ebbs and Flows Flips Miami TE Commit Evan Hinson
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
South Carolina’s 2016 recruiting class has taken shape, been reshaped, and is pressing on with seemingly constant additions and subtractions to the group with one week left until National Signing Day. The Gamecocks have been ever present on the recruiting trail since head coach Will Muschamp took over in mid-December and has been a marvel filling in spots instantly. The trend has continued with USC adding three in the three days pulling in tight end Evan Hinson on Wednesday.
South Carolina of late, lost cornerback Tre Jackson (Baton Rouge, LA), defensive end Cecil Stallings (Atlanta, GA), and linebacker Jacorey Morris (Grove Hill, AL). All three remain uncommitted to new programs but the gaps have been filled quickly in the Gamecocks class. Along with Hinson, South Carolina has added tight end D.J. Wonnum and junior college running back Tyren Jones.
Hinson is a great “get” for USC as the NSD madness ensues. The Deltona High School two-way star committed to Miami on Feb. 13 but continued to checkout his options taking unofficial visits to Florida, Florida State, and Miami. On Dec. 12, Hinson decommitted from Miami picking up an offer from South Carolina and Southern California on the same day. The Gamecocks hosted Hinson on Jan. 15 and the Trojans got their chance on Jan. 22.
The 6’5”, 215 pound, talent started to catch recruiting eyes as a junior coming up with 25 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, and five sacks while pulling in 12 passes for 223 yards with two scores. The Wolves went 6-4 in 2015 with Hinson filling in roles at running back, tight end, outside linebacker, and even safety.
USC fought off offers for Hinson from Florida, Georgia Tech, Michigan, North Carolina, South Florida, N.C. State, Louisville, North Carolina, Iowa State, and Kentucky, among others. Rumor mill had Hinson verbally committing to South Carolina during his official on Jan. 15 but did not make his decision public until Wednesday.
South Carolina’s class is back at 23 commitments with just two spots left to fill before Feb. 3.
2016 South Carolina Gamecocks Verbal Commitment List (23)
CB Jamarcus King, 6’1”, 180 lbs, Coffeyville C.C., Coffeyville, KS
DE Griffin Gentry, 6’2”, 255 lbs, Homewood HS, Birmingham, AL
DE Sadarius Hutcherson, 6’6”, 250 lbs, Huntingdon HS, Huntingdon, TN
DE Javon Kinlaw, 6’5”, 275 lbs, Goose Creek HS, Goose Creek, SC
DE Keir Thomas, 6’1”, 245 lbs, Miami Central HS, Miami, FL
DT Kobe Smith, 6’3”, 315 lbs, Archer HS, Lawrenceville, GA
DT/DE Darius Whitfield, 6’3”, 265 lbs, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Mobile, AL
LB T.J. Brunson, 6’0”, 220 lbs, Richland Northeast HS, Columbia, SC
LB/TE Robert Tucker, 6’3”, 230 lbs, Best Academy, Atlanta, GA
OT Akeem Cooperwood, 6’7”, 325 lbs, Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA
OT Peter Leota, 6’5” 300 lbs, Asheville HS, Asheville, NC
OG Lloyd Cushenberry, 6’4”, 310 lbs, Dutchtown HS, Geismar, LA
OG Will Putnam, 6’5”, 270 lbs, Hickory Ridge HS, Harrisburg, NC
TE Evan Hinson, 6’5”, 210 lbs, Deltona HS, Deltona, FL
TE D.J. Wonnum, 6’3”, 225 lbs, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, GA
RB Rico Dowdle, 6’0”, 205 lbs, A.C. Reynolds HS, Ashville, NC
RB Tyren Jones, 6’0”, 220 lbs, Hutchinson C.C., Hutchinson, KS
RB C.J. Freeeman, 5’11”, 195 lbs, Northern Guilford HS, Greensboro, NC
QB Brandon McIlwain, 6’0”, 188 lbs, Council Rock North, Newtown, PA
WR Diondre Champaigne, 6’4”, 180 lbs, Fort Dorchester HS, North Charleston, SC
WR Chavis Dawkins, 6’2”, 195 lbs, Byrnes HS, Duncan, SC
WR Bryan Edwards, 6’3”, 205 lbs, Conway HS, Conway, SC
WR Chris Smith, 5’10”, 170 lbs, South Pointe HS, Rock Hill, SC
Photo credit: 247sports.com; Evan Hinson.