OG Jacobe Ward (6-4 335) of famed Benedictine Academy in Savannah is a big fan of South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, and that bodes well for the Gamecocks in this recruiting case. Ward has USC in his top ten along with Texas A&M, West Virginia, Miami, Tennessee, UCF, Auburn, LSU, Alabama and Kentucky.
Ward said there’s no single favorite among those ten programs, but the Gamecocks are definitely one to watch with him, and that’s because of his long relationship with Teasley.
“He’s been recruiting me since I was in the eighth grade, and he’s always been very close to me and my mom,” Ward said. “South Carolina is up there, of course, because I just have that relationship with Coach Teasley. That’s been my dog for a while.”
And apparently, Teasley likes the dog in Ward.
“He likes how dominant I am and how I finish plays,” Wards said. ”I play tackle but I’m going to college for guard. Most kids my size don’t have quick feet like I do. When I go to college, I plan on being able to pull, actually being able to get off of the linemen a little bit more, that’s why I’d rather play guard than tackle.”
Ward did not make a visit to USC, or any other school for that matter, in January. From his standpoint as it relates to the Gamecocks, that was not important.
“I’ve been to South Carolina multiple times,” Ward said. “When I was in the eighth grade, I did a camp, and that’s when I really got my name on the map. I came back for another camp the following the year for my ninth grade year. I went to a spring practice my ninth grade year. And I went to the Clemson vs South Carolina game last year.”
From those visits, Ward said he noticed a key feature regarding the culture Shane Beamer has developed in Columbia.
“Just the brotherhood,” he said. “I love the way South Carolina carries themselves as a team, and how Coach Beamer always has a way to bring the team up whenever they are down. We’ve talked a little bit, but my main man is Coach Teasley.”
Ward and Teasley have been working on plans for him to visit multiple times in the spring.
“Coach Teasley was going to reach out to me and let know the best days to come, Gray said. “He wants me to come up there for two days so I can watch a spring practice one day and then go to the spring game. And then a spring practice before that, that’s the time’s that I’ll be coming up there.”
Ward plans to take other visits in the spring and from there decide on his official visits this summer.
Hi Phil! Long-time follower. Should the Gamecocks expect any signees tomorrow? Any long-shot surprises that could unfold with some Alabama shakeup?
Thanks for listening. Not expecting anything with the Gamecocks tomorrow. Has to be the first February signing day in my career where there’s been no action.