Not only is USC fishing in the Transfer Portal, the Gamecocks are also working the junior college ranks for talent. Their latest offer there went out last week to DT Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder (6-6 295) of Butler JC, KS. Alcorn-Crowder was not a heavily recruited player out of high school in Massachusetts, and he went to Butler as a full qualifier seeking to develop into a D1 prospect.
This season Alcorn-Crowder was in on 28 tackles with seven sacks in his one season with the Grizzlies. USC defensive line coach Travian Robertson got a look at his film and then made the move with the offer.
“We hadn’t talked much leading up to the offer, but after they offered me, I’ve been talking to them a lot,” Alcorn-Crowder said. “I’ve been talking to all of the defensive coaches, the D-line coach, all the other coaches down there. It’s been great because they are showing a lot of love to me. We (he & Robertson) talk a couple of times a week. We just chop it up about things and the defense and stuff like that. Sometimes we just talk about life. He’s a really good coach and a nice guy.”
Alcorn-Crowder watched the Gamecocks last weekend against Clemson since he now had a reason to check them out. He liked what he saw from the defensive side.
“My feeling towards them is really good because I watched them play, and their defense played really well the other night even though they lost,” Alcorn-Crowder said. “The defense played really well to me. I like how they do things with their defensive front. I like where they are going and where they are headed.”
Alcorn-Crowder added that he certainly believes he can be an asset to the Gamecocks defensive line, or any defensive line for that matter.
“It’s my length, my size and my quickness,” he said. “I feel like I’m one of those guys that can pass rush and also stop the run, and coach can put me anywhere. That’s how I feel about my game, put me anywhere to win a football game.”
Alcorn-Crowder said USC would like for him to visit this weekend, and he’s talked with the coaches about that, but he has not firmed up his plans for the weekend. He also mentioned potential official visits to NC State, Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Southern Cal. He also has been offered by Florida, Miami, Maryland, Minnesota, ODU and USF.