USC has a dearth of quality wide receivers in the program right now. Some of the young guys could develop in time, but Will Muschamp is still shopping for someone who can beat man coverage and make big plays down the field. He has five receivers committed in his 2021 class right now, and he might make it six later this fall after offering Rodarius Thomas (6-3 194) of Eufaula, AL.
Muschamp was the first Power Five head coach to offer Thomas, and he was greatly appreciative.
“It was amazing,” Thomas said. “This summer I was in touch with Coach (Joe) Cox and I was like, it would be great to receive an offer from ya’ll, and he was like, it’s coming, just be patient. I was like, OK. He started back texting me last month. He said I had great film and keep it up. He was watching my last year film, and then he started watching this year’s film, and they gave me an offer. It was like they really need me and stuff like that. I can make plays and I’m a big time player and stuff like that.”
Last season, his first playing football, Thomas had 45 catches for 957 yards and 14 touchdowns. This season he has 30 catches for 541 yards and 8 touchdowns. Thomas considers himself a big-play threat, someone who can stretch a defense and make catches over the top of safeties.
Thomas also has offers from Coastal Carolina, Austin Peay, Missouri State, North Alabama, South Alabama, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. He said he’s also hearing from Ole Miss, Florida State and TCU. But the offer from the Gamecocks changed everything in his recruiting world.
“They are like number one on my list right now,” Thomas said. “That’s what I was waiting on, and finally I got it. I was going to wait (to commit) until after the season, but I’m interested in them right now. I just wanted to wait until after the season.” He called the likelihood of a commitment to the Gamecocks a 7.5 on a a 10 scale.
Since getting the offer from USC, Thomas said he’s heard daily from Muschamp, Cox and Mike Bobo. He has never been to USC but the school has sent him videos showing him the football facilities. He was able to visit Troy and South Alabama before the Covid-19 shutdown.
