Will Muschamp has his first running back and wide receiver for 2017.
On Saturday, both St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) running back Kyshaun Bryan and Brunswick wide receiver Shawn Smith committed to join the Gamecocks Class of 2017. Bryan is the first running back in South Carolina’s class, while Smith is listed as an athlete recruit, with most projecting him to line up as a wide receiver in Columbia. If that’s the case, he is the first wideout in South Carolina’s Class of 2017 as well.
Bryan, who has spent his previous high school seasons at American Heritage, is one of an astounding 13 STA players who are expected to land at major conference schools. The Florida powerhouse’s bumper yield of prospects is headed by 5-star wide receiver Trevon Grimes, while Bryan is one of four other players who have earned four-star ratings or better according to Rivals.com, with three of those lining up on the offensive side of the ball. Note to those with STA on the schedule this fall: Beware the deep ball and power running attack.
In 2015, Bryan rushed for 646 yards and seven touchdowns. He had 824 rushing yards and seven scores as a sophomore in 2014.
As for Smith, he’s a budding wide receiver from the state of Georgia, where he and offensive lineman D’antne Demery are both high major prospects.
The pair of new Gamecocks were both apparently swayed by the prospect cookout the program hosted on Saturday. Smith’s pledge was particularly surprising in recruiting circles, with most expecting him to choose between in-state powers Florida State and Miami, both programs of which he has already visited three times. No matter. Bryan said he was sold on South Carolina because it continued to feel like home each time he stepped foot on campus.
“It feels like home honestly,” Bryan told the Columbia State. “Right when I stepped on campus a couple of weeks ago I had that feeling, so I see myself going in there as a freshman competing.”