STRecruiting: Swedish edge rusher Gustaf Henriks Ras considers South Carolina to be among his top schools

This story of a football recruit might be a bit cheesy, but there are no holes in it. Swiss DE Gustaf Henriks Ras (6-4 230), who attends high school in Stockholm, is gaining more traction among college football recruiters in the US, and that includes South Carolina defensive end coach Sterling Lucas.

Henriks Ras is part of the PPIRecruits organization, which places international players on American football teams. It is headed by Brandon Collier, who annually brings his players to collegiate camps in the summer.

One of the stops was in Columbia, where Henriks Ras got to show his stuff in front of Lucas and USC head coach Shane Beamer.

“I was very intrigued by how they like to see competition, and he tried to get guys to beat me in certain drills,” Henriks Ras said.  “I just loved how he put me on the spot all the time.  It wasn’t in a mean way, a pushy way.  He wanted to see me compete, compete, compete.  I’m all about competing.  I really liked that.  I liked our quick conversation after camp.  I also talked to Justin Okoronkwo, the linebacker who transferred from Alabama, who is also a PPI guy.  I just liked the family feel and the brotherhood he talked about at the school.  Also, them using a pretty quick defense, mostly going 3-3-5, and putting me at the jack linebacker, that’s pretty much what I’m looking for.  There’s a lot of things clinking, like coaches, brotherhood, the schemes they’re using.  And of course, it’s the SEC, and I want to compete against the best.”

Henriks Ras’ story is one of self-belief and never quitting. He grew up on skates and skis before putting on the cleats. His first moves on a football field were as a tight end. However, as the camp work continued, the decision was made to move to defensive end, and that’s paying off with multiple scholarship offers from the likes of USC, Clemson, Florida State, Ole Miss, Georgia and Boise State. He’s also now hearing from Virginia and could be in line for an offer from the Cavaliers as well.

“Last year when I came over, I just grinded for three weeks,” he said.  “I got Texas A&M the last day as a tight end.  It was huge, then it was quite cool for a bit, then I got a few small schools, which I appreciate a lot.  Then, I switched from tight end to an edge rusher, because Brandon thought it was more natural for me, and I thought it was so fun just heating people and coming off the edge, just being aggressive and defending.  I love it.  I started getting interest from Boise.  Then, when I finally got to the US, I think the first camp was Georgia.  I had a hell of a performance.  It was my first ever camp as an edge rusher.  From there, it was taking off.  I knew Georgia was very interested, and that was a big confidence boost.  The day after, we were at Clemson and had a great performance.  They are very picky with their offers, but I got an offer on day one, so that was also a confidence boost.  And when I got to South Carolina, I was just like, let’s get it.  I had a hell of a camp.  Love competing. When I got that USC offer, they just started pouring in.  It was great getting my first edge rusher offer from the SEC being the Gamecocks.”

Henriks Ras has an official visit scheduled with Boise State for September 26th. . He’s also looking at Florida State, Ole Miss and Georgia for potential official visits, as well as one with USC.

“Brandon and coach Sterling Lucas have talked about an OV, and we’ll probably do it quite early in the season, which I like,” Henriks Ras said.  “Then, I can make my decision sooner.  I want to visit some of these schools I’ve gotten offers from.  USC is definitely in the top.”