South Carolina has what some say is ``best ever'' recruiting class

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Imagine what South Carolina&#39;s Steve Spurrier could do if people thought he liked recruiting.<br> <br> On the eve of national signing day, Spurrier is set to bring in what some experts consider the top recruiting class ever at South Carolina. The Gamecocks have 31 commitments and with a day to go, stand sixth in the country in Scout.com&#39;s recruiting rankings and seventh in rivals.com.<br> <br> Prospects can officially sign with a college Wednesday.<br> <br> ``If you go strictly by ranking, this would be the best class that South Carolina has ever had in the modern era,&#39;&#39; said longtime Palmetto State recruiting reporter Phil Kornblut of the South Carolina News Network. ``This may be the highest ranked class by any team in the state of South Carolina.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> And all from a coach who some considered aloof over wooing recruits.<br> <br> That was among the speculation why he left Florida for the NFL&#39;s Washington Redskins after the 2001 season. Those whispers persisted when he came to the Gamecocks in 2004.<br> <br> Spurrier&#39;s shown any doubters he can bring in top recruits. ``He&#39;s gotten personally involved with a lot&#39;&#39; of the newcomers, said rivals.com Southeast analyst J.C. Shurburtt. ``He&#39;s showing those criticisms were unfounded.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Gamecocks got a jump on things with several signees already in school, including standout quarterback Stephen Garcia of Tampa, Fla., and defensive lineman Travian Robertson of Laurinburg, N.C.<br> <br> Some see Garcia as Spurrier&#39;s quarterback of the future, a strong-armed player who can fulfill the ball coach&#39;s goal of bringing the Gamecocks a Southeastern Conference title.<br> <br> Among the highly regarded players expected to join the Gamecocks on Wednesday is Chris Culliver, a receiver from Garner, N.C., considered among the top 20 players in the country by both recruiting services.<br> <br> On Monday night, heralded tight end-defensive end prospect Weslye Saunders from Durham, N.C., gave his pledge to Spurrier&#39;s Gamecocks.<br> <br> Part of Spurrier&#39;s success came from tapping into old ties in Florida and cultivating new ones in states like North Carolina.<br> <br> Of South Carolina&#39;s expected signees, 12 come from the Sunshine State and eight are Tar Heels. By contrast, only six of the newcomers are from South Carolina.<br> <br> ``Spurrier&#39;s still a big name in Florida,&#39;&#39; Shurburtt said.<br> <br> As far as the North Carolina success goes, the credit is shared by 28-year-old recruiting coordinator David Reaves and first-year South Carolina assistants Brad Lawing and Fred Chatham, Shurburtt says.<br> <br> Lawing, whose hometown is Hickory, N.C., was a North Carolina assistant coach from 2003-05. Chatham, whose hometown in Elkin, N.C., was a Duke assistant from 1989-2005. Reaves played quarterback at Appalachian State.<br> <br> The Gamecock staff also did a good job of recovery, Kornblut said, when one of their high profile prospects, Richland Northeast defensive back Gary Gray, reneged on his commitment this summer.<br> <br> Gray said last March he would attend South Carolina and convince other top prospects to come to Columbia. In July, though, Gray rethought things and pledged to Notre Dame, where he enrolled last month.<br> <br> Instead of that dragging down recruiting, the coaches dug in to turn other prospects, like Cheraw defensive end Cliff Matthews and Culliver, to the Gamecocks.<br> <br> Spurrier might have an inkling of what was coming last November. Right after the team completed a 3-5 mark in the SEC Spurrier&#39;s first-ever losing league campaign Spurrier talked of raising the team&#39;s goals to compete for titles.<br> <br> ``Guys can sense that we&#39;re maybe a few players here and there away from really competing for the SEC championship,&#39;&#39; Spurrier said. ``I think we&#39;re going to have an excellent recruiting class this year, and I think we&#39;re going to have some players come in that can help us next year.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> All Spurrier needs now is the paperwork the signed national letters of intent.<br> <br> ``I think there&#39;s reason for the giddiness,&#39;&#39; Kornblut said. Spurrier and his staff ``have worked their tails off and gotten it done.&#39;&#39;

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