South Carolina offensive line coaches Randy Clements and Jason Smith were both in Texas before coming to Columbia, so it’s only natural that they are using their ties to the Lone Star State to bring prospects to the Palmetto State. On Thursday, the duo welcomed OL Caleb Siler (6-8 270) of Gunter to campus for his first up close look at the Gamecock program.
“It was a great visit. I really felt the culture of what they are trying to build with this brand new offensive staff that Coach (Shane) Beamer just brought in,” Siler said. “Coach Clem and Coach Smith, being Texas guys, I kind of resonated with them very well. They were from my area. I knew Coach Smith when he was at Abilene Christian, and Coach Clem is a great guy.”
Siler said the Gamecock coaches, along with others who are recruiting him, see an offensive lineman with some unique skills and a hardcore approach to the position.
“They like my size frame,” Siler said. “Being athletic and being able to bend is a big thing that I have that not a lot of guys my size can do. I can get in a three-point stance. I can put my hand in the dirt. I’m not afraid to finish someone in the dirt. I’m not afraid to pancake someone. They said they like the way I play. I play with an edge.”
One of the first things Siler and his mom did on the visit was to get a good look at the campus and the football facilities.
“Just like every other SEC program, the facilities are fantastic,” Siler said. “This was first my first time in Columbia, and it was beautiful. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was fantastic. It was a nice college town. Not too big. Has an airport with a direct flight to DFW, which is great.”
Siler also watched the Gamecocks hold their penultimate practice of the spring, and he kept his eyes on the work around the offensive line.
“I got to watch Coach Clem and Coach Smith kind of interact with each other, and that was great,” he said. “Very high energy. Lot of competition. Everything you want to see in a practice. Very efficient.”
Siler also had a few minutes to talk with Beamer about the direction of the program.
“I got to really see his insight into the program, and what he thinks of as the head coach,” Siler said. “I really like where he wants this program to go, and I could definitely see myself fitting into this O-line room. I look forward to furthering the connection with these coaches and getting to check out South Carolina also.”
Siler is in the middle of taking his spring visits, and he’ll decide on his official visits once he completes the spring trips. South Carolina will be one of the schools he will consider for one of those coveted weekend visits this summer.
“Obviously, I really liked what I saw today,” Siler said. “I plan to finalize my official visits the end of April, just because I haven’t seen all of the places I’m going to visit yet, because I was a late bloomer of a recruit. I came into this off-season with seven D1 offers, and I’m at 25 right now. I blew up really quickly, so I want to see everything before I finalize stuff. But, I had a great day at South Carolina, and I can definitely see myself playing there for sure.”
This spring, Siler has also visited Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Utah, Arizona, Kansas State, Texas Tech, TCU, and Texas. He has upcoming visits planned with Texas A&M, Arkansas, Baylor, SMU, Stanford, and UCLA.