New USC offensive coordinator Mike Bobo likes a powerful blocking back as part of his alignment. That’s why he was happy to see his former fullback Adam Prentice transfer as a grad student from Colorado State. Thursday the Gamecocks extended an offer to Jayden Tate (5-11 247), someone who can play the same role as Prentice. Tate plays on the offensive and defensive line for his high school, but from what he’s learned from the Gamecocks, they want him as that bulldozer into the line.
“The coaches say they like my aggressiveness on the field and my drive on and off the field,” Tate said. “They said they love my film and the way I block people while still being reasonably quick. They said they would love me to play fullback so that I could be able to run down field, make a block and open a hole.”
Tate and the Gamecocks have known each other for about a year, but the recruiting interest from the Gamecocks just recently escalated.
“I had been to the university once before because my brother (three-star DE Travali Price) went for a football camp,” Tate said. “Other than that I had little interaction with the coaches until a short while ago. We started talking to them. I talked to Coach (Bobby) Bentley and Coach (Will) Muschamp about football. Getting the offer was a very exciting moment. It showed me that the hard work I’ve put in has paid off so far. I will still work hard so that when I make it to a college I can play at a competitive level.”
The Gamecocks have a good opportunity for Tate, and his brother Price whom they’ve also offered, but there’s some ACC competition to deal with.
“I like South Carolina and the program they have to offer,” he said. “However, there are other schools looking at me right now like NC State and Louisville who have offered me as well. Some other schools are close but haven’t offered. I’m not gonna name favorites but after we are allowed to, we will be making visits to some schools. I’m not sure when I will make a decision, and I’m not sure who my favorite is. They are all the same as of right now.”
Tate also plays nose guard and he is a deep snapper. He’s also drawing interest from Tennessee, Duke, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. He and his brother have considered going to the same place.
