OT Jatavius Shivers (6-7 270) of Villa Rica, GA returned to USC for a second unofficial visit May 13th, and he brought his father and his quarterback with him. Gamecocks offensive line coach Greg Adkins offered Shivers in early May, and he’s also been talking a lot with offensive analyst Lonnie Teasley, himself a former offensive line coach.
Shivers visited USC earlier in the spring to watch a practice, but he didn’t get to check out the facilities. This most recent trip afforded him that opportunity.
“It was just about me seeing their whole facility,” Shivers said. “Coach Teasley and Coach Adkins just showed me the type of stuff their O-linemen do in the offense. The first time I came, I just watched a practice. I didn’t see the facility. This time I got to see their facility and I liked it.”
Shivers plays tackle but said Adkins sees him as a versatile lineman who can play multiple positions. That’s one of the reasons he and Teasley want to bring him into the program.
“He sees a lot of potential in me,” Shivers said. “Coach Adkins wasn’t there for a lot of the visit because he had a late flight coming in, but Coach Teasley, I talked to him a lot. He was telling me some stuff I need to work on, and the drills that they do and drills I can do by myself.”
Capping the visit for Shivers was a sit-down office visit with head coach Shane Beamer.
“That went great,” Shivers said. “We talked about me getting back up there, and their education. He was really just selling their brand, and he sold it pretty good. I did ask him questions about their education, and he told me they are second behind Vanderbilt in graduation rate in the SEC.”
After this most recent visit, Shivers said the Gamecocks have to be among his top schools at this point.
“They are definitely in the top four,” Shivers said. ” (The others are) Florida State, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech. No order.”
Shivers has one official visit set thus far, to Vanderbilt June 17th. He plans to visit the other three officially as well, and possibly a fifth school. He won’t make his decision until after his season.
