2011 Recruiting Targets

While it would be hard to surpass Jacksonville State's 2010 Recruiting Class, there are several big time targets on the horizon. Here is a look at a few high school players we hope commit to the Friendliest Campus in the South on Signing Day:

Mickey Jackson: DL, Piedmont, Alabama. The Gamecocks are desperate to sign some defensive linemen and Johnson would be a great fit. He is 6-1, 305 lbs and is rated a 3 Star player by Rivals. The Gamecocks are swimming in some deep waters in their efforts to sign Jackson. He has been offered by La. Tech, Memphis, Southern Miss and UAB among others. The Gamecocks may have an inside edge as one of the Blanchard boys coaches at Piedmont.

Jamaal Johnson. S, Piedmont, Alabama. How about a package deal? Piedmont has another player on the Gamecocks' recruiting radar. Johnson is a Rivals 2 Star prospect with offers from Southern Miss, Memphis and Lousiana Tech. Picking up these 2 players would give the Gamecocks a decidedly local flavor with Coty Blanchard and Country Chambers from Cherokee County, Jameson Wadley from Gadsden, Brent Tolson from Anniston and David Maness from Gadsden City. If the Gamecocks can sign the best players within 70 miles of JSU, they will compete for a national title.

Dustin Gayton, LB West Forsyth (Ga). Gayton is a GSWAA All State Player from Georgia.


Josh King, DB Mt. Zion HS (Ga). King is a burner with 4.4 speed in the 40. While not necessarily translating into offers, King has had interest from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia Tech and Vandy.

Taylor Warner, OL Jacksonville (Ala). Warner is committed to the Gamecocks. The Rivals 3 Star player is a huge pick up and should help solidify Jax State's offensive line for years to come.

Hayden Naumann OL Decatur HS (Ala). It would be huge if the Gamecocks could pick up this 6-5, 275 pound product of Decatur to go along with Warner. Naumann is a 2 Star rated palyer that was named the top lineman at the Elite Action Combine at Gadsden City High School. He also participated in the prestigous Alabama/Mississippi All Star Game.



Rick Rivers, DB Cocoa HS (Fla). Rivers is another speedster from Florida, a State that the Gamecocks recruit heavily. Rivers has drawn some interest from Auburn during the recruiting process.


Rashod Byers, RB First Coast HS (Fla). Jamal Young is gone and Calvin Middleton will be a Senior. Thus, the need for running backs is great. The Gamecocks would love to get Byers who possesses blazing speed. He has been offered by North Dakota (too cold) and Southern Miss (too hot) and drawn interest from a bunch of other schools. Rivals ranks Byers as a 2 Star prospect.


Tony Jackson, RB/S, Taylor City HS (Fl). A small, but fast running back.



Aaron Wimberly, RB South Gwinnett HS (Ga). Wimberly could be the jewel of the Gamecocks recruiting class. He is a 2 Star rated prospect by Rivals and has been offered by Troy State University. Wimberly has also drawn interest from Georgia and Tennessee.


The Gamecocks are also in the hunt on some MEGA-transfers. We will keep you posted.