South Carolina makes Quick In-Roads Landing Georgia TE LB Robert Tucker
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The recruiting process between South Carolina and B.E.S.T. Academy tight end/linebacker Robert Tucker did not take long. On Jan. 15, USC offered and on Thursday they landed the Georgia target.
Tucker was a threat for the Eagles in 2015 coming up with 16 receptions for 336 yards with four scores on offense and had 46 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and one interception in eight games played.
College coaches near and far saw the talent in the Atlanta prospect pushing over 20 offers his way. Among the teams seeking his talents at the collegiate level included Georgia Southern, Iowa State, Wake Forest, Syracuse, Marshall, Louisville, N.C. State, Middle Tennessee State, Charlotte, and Colorado State among others.
South Carolina swooped in at the last minute seemingly stealing away the versatile athlete from Indiana (Dec. 4), Tulane (Jan. 15), and Troy (Jan. 29), all teams Tucker had visited or had set up official visits with before his commitment.
The Gamecocks have been on a tear since new head coach Will Muschamp took over the football program in mid-December landing 11 verbal commitments. Even though Muschamp is a defensive minded coach, just 10 of the 23 commitments are slated to play defense for the Gamecocks once on campus.
2016 South Carolina Gamecocks Verbal Commitment List (23)
CB Jamarcus King, 6’1”, 180 lbs, Coffeyville C.C., Coffeyville, KS
CB Tre Jackson, 5’10”, 178 lbs, Univ. Lab HS, Baton Rouge, LA
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 Cecil Stallings, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Tucker HS, Atlanta, GA
DE Keir Thomas, 6’1”, 245 lbs, Miami Central HS, Miami, FL
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 Jacorey Morris, 6’3”, 220 lbs, Clarke County HS, Grove Hill, AL
LB/TE Robert Tucker, 6’3”, 230 lbs, Best Academy, Atlanta, GA
DT Kobe Smith, 6’3”, 315 lbs, Archer HS, Lawrenceville, 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
RB Rico Dowdle, 6’0”, 205 lbs, A.C. Reynolds HS, Ashville, NC
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; Robert Tucker gets work in during a practice.