Georgia’s loss could be South Carolina’s gain. OL Kyson Mallard (6-7 320) of Albany, GA committed to the home-state Bulldogs last September. But in January, he decided to back off of that pledge and reopen his recruitment.
That opened the door for South Carolina and new offensive line coach Randy Clements to become a major factor, again. The Gamecocks offered Mallard last April, about a week after he visited for the spring game.
“The environment was amazing. The stadium was about packed, and that was just for the spring game,” Mallard said. “In talking with them, I had just an amazing time. Coach (Sam) Serbay (Director of Recruiting-Offense) and all of them, just an amazing environment and amazing coaches. I got back home and got the call, and they offered me. I love South Carolina. It’s the culture for me. I’m still talking to Coach Serbay about everything. I text him every day, all throughout the day. It’s just an amazing place to be.”
Clements is looking to remake the look of the Gamecock offensive line, and Mallard believes he fits the mold of what Clements is looking for in an offensive lineman.
“Aggression, being physical and stuff like that,” Mallard said. “He wants big, physical and aggressive offensive linemen who can play through the snap and the whistle every single time.”
Mallard will be back at USC for a spring visit on March 28th. He also has penciled in his official visit with the Gamecocks for June 5th. Right now, Clements and Serbay have put the Gamecocks in a good spot with the big man from South Georgia.
“They are towards the top,” he said. “I still haven’t got it down real low, but I will say South Carolina is towards the top, and they are definitely going to be in the top three. I was thinking about narrowing it down some more. No matter what I narrow it down to, South Carolina is going to be in the mix. They love me. It’s the communication. We communicate every day. The respect is there. You can tell when they actually want you, and South Carolina wants me. That’s why I love them.”
Others, however, love Mallard, too. He has scheduled other official visits with Louisville for May 29th and with Illinois for June 26th. He also plans spring visits to NC State, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech. And he said Florida State is also in the picture with him.
Mallard also has offers from Tulane, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Purdue, Florida, East Carolina, Pitt, and others. He visited Auburn in January, and he went to games last season at Georgia and Florida State.