Two of the quarterback prospects in the 2027 class being recruited by South Carolina quarterbacks coach Kendal Briles have already made their spring visits to Columbia. Jerry Meyer III of Texas and DJ Hunter of Georgia were in to visit with Briles and Shane Beamer in March. A third prospect is due in later this month.
Kevin Verpaele (6-2 200) of Merritt Island, FL is down for a visit with the Gamecocks on April 11th. Verpaele has been committed to Pitt since last October, but he’s still checking out other options. South Carolina became one of those options when Briles offered him last month.
We were talking about a week before he offered me. We were texting a little, and then Facetimed me and offered me,” Verpaele said. “We have kept in touch throughout the week, talking about our weekend stuff, just daily conversation. He’s been trying to get me to come up there for a spring visit. He says he likes how I’m physical, how I can finish throws in tight areas, and how I can make plays. He said he likes how I can move in the pocket.”
The visit will be Verpaele’s first to South Carolina, and it will be a true fact-finding mission for him.
“Honestly, I don’t know a lot about them, but that’s why I plan on going up, to learn more about them,” Verpaele said. “I’d just like to see how Coach Briles is working with the quarterbacks, how he’s developing them and coaching them. I’d kind of like to see their coaching atmosphere. I’d kind of like to see how they run their practices and how the intensity is. I’d kind of like to see the campus, how it looks. I know it’s SEC, so I’m sure it will be awesome. I’m looking to see their offensive line and looking to meet that coach. I’m looking to meet the receivers.”
He’s also looking forward to meeting Briles and learning more about him and the offense he likes to run.
“He told me he was at TCU and they like to throw the ball and score touchdowns, just like everybody else,” Verpaele said. “I guess I’ll see on the 11th. I’m looking forward to it.”
Verpaele was at USF on Tuesday, and he’s going back to Florida on Thursday for a second time this spring. He’s also been to Pitt and plans to see Virginia Tech and Rutgers.
Pitt is down for an official visit on May 29th, and he also plans to take an official visit to Florida. He said South Carolina and USF are also possible for official visits.
Last season, Verpaele passed for 2714 yards and 27 touchdowns, and he rushed for 597 yards and four scores.
Another Florida quarterback offered by Briles, who might take a visit this spring, is Logan Flaherty of Port Charlotte, who has been committed to UCF.