New USC offensive coordinator and new running backs coach Des Kitchings think they have found someone who could add the speed dimension to their attack. Monday the Gamecocks offered RB Antario Brown (6-0 215) of Savannah, and they are the first to do so. Speed and size are Brown’s greatest assets. He was timed in the forty at 4.3 at a prospect camp in February, and in the 2019 outdoor season in Georgia, he ran a personal best 11.06 in the 100 meters in the region track meet.
USC’s recruiting of Brown just started and the relationship between the two sides is still develping.
“We have been talking for about a week now,” Brown said. “Coach (Mike) Bobo hit me, Coach (Des) Kitchings. They just hit me, telling me how I would be for the program. Obviously they liked my film. It just went from there. We are building a strong relationship, me and the coaches.”
Bobo is installing a different look to the Gamecock offense, one that will be more run heavy with the pass coming off the run. From what Brown has been told, he would fit right in with those offensive plans.
“They said they could see me setting up the passing game,” Brown said. “The way I run I’m more physical. I have vision and I can block. They said I would run the ball to set up the passing game. That’s what they are looking forward to with me. I’m more of a big back also.”
At this point, Brown is not being heavily recruited. He heard from a Georgia coach earlier in the year and was invited to visit for a spring practice, but the pandemic nixed that. He said Savannah State, Albany State and Northern Illinois were some other schools showing interest. Bobo and Kitchings have made it clear they want him in the program.
“They are pushing me to the extreme,” he said. “The whole coaching staff. After Coach Bobo and Coach Kitchings hit me, the rest of the guys, the fan pages, the whole South Carolina is showing me love. It’s just amazing to me, unbelievable. Right now the relationship that I’m building with the Gamecocks is pretty strong.”
Brown played in seven games last season and rushed for 1008 yards. He also had 500 yards receiving. His best game came against Benedictine when he rushed for 280 yards on 22 carries, had 4 catches for 119 yards and scored 4 touchdowns.
