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High-Class: Muschamp proud of 2020 signees
By Josh Hyber | Staff writer Photos by SC Athletics & Allen Sharpe
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Will Muschamp announced part of South Carolina’s 2020 signing class on Dec. 17, and it features several high-profile recruits.
In all, the not-yet-completed class features 17 players from across the country. It includes one quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, five offensive linemen, three cornerbacks, one defensive lineman, one linebacker and two “athletes.”
Six are listed in ESPN’s Top 300, including running back Marshawn Lloyd (53), quarterback Luke Doty (85), defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway (187), receiver Michael Wyman (226), linebacker Mohamed Kaba (229) and guard Tyshawn Wannamaker (270).
Coming off a disappointing 4-8 season and losing more than 20 seniors, Muschamp is excited about another strong recruiting class.
“I appreciate the type of young men and the character that we have in this class,” he said. “All of these guys, other than two, committed before the season started, never wavered and have a lot of people coming after them. That says a lot about the young men, the character and the type of guys we’re signing in this class. We’re really excited about them and they’re all good players as well.”
Here’s a look at the December signees:
Rashad Amos, RB
Notes: Rushed for more than 1,000 yards as senior and more than 2,300 yards in career… helped Patriots to 12-2 record and spot in state AAAA semifinals as senior… rushed for 939 yards on 133 carries (7.1 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns in 2018 … caught 16 passes for 93 yards … also played basketball. Ratings: Rivals: 72nd-best player in Georgia and country’s 38th best running back … 247Sports: Nation’s 68th-best running back and 113th-best overall in Georgia. Muschamp: “We got on Rashad a little late. We liked him in the spring, but [Director of Player Personnel] Matt Lindsay and his staff did a really good job of tracking him through his senior year. He’s a hard runner, is tough and comes from a great program at Sandy Creek.”
Jaheim Bell, ATH
Notes: Multi-talented player who missed part of senior season with torn ACL … could play tight end or wide receiver… 210 receiving yards as senior … 770 yards as junior… helped Wildcats reach state quarterfinals in 2018 and 2019 … Nike The Opening Finalist … Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s 6A All-State first-team as junior… also played basketball. Ratings: Rivals: 45th-best player in Georgia and nation’s 18th-best “athlete”... 247Sports: Georgia’s 39th-best player, country’s 17thbest “athlete” and No. 382 overall prospect. Muschamp: “He’s a real explosive guy with a 36-inch vertical leap. His role next fall will be very similar to what he did at Valdosta. They played him outside, inside, used him as an H-back type. He gives you a lot of things. They put him on defense some too and he played really well there. That caught my eye, for sure. … He’s a very explosive guy. I watched him play basketball as a junior. He actually tore down the basketball goal one night. He’s an explosive guy and a really good athlete.”
Luke Doty, QB
Size: 6-1, 185 Hometown: Myrtle Beach, S.C. High school: Myrtle Beach
Notes: Highly-regarded prospect who enrolled in January … threw for 5,614 career yards with 66 touchdowns … 7,364 all-purpose yards and was responsible for 83 touchdowns … Seahawks were undefeated before falling in state 4A title game in 2019 … did not play after injuring throwing hand in first round of playoffs … completed 64 percent of passes for 1,876 yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 games … also rushed for 408 yards and four scores … named first team all-state by SC coaches … South Carolina’s “Mr. Football” … selected to Shrine Bowl, Nike’s The Opening Finals and Elite 11 Finals … as a junior, helped guide Myrtle Beach to 4A state championship in first year as starter … threw for 3,037 yards on with 36 touchdowns … 701 yards and seven TDs on ground … threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in 2018 championship game … 2018 4A Lower State Back of the Year … played WR early in career. Ratings: Rivals: Second-best player in South Carolina, nation’s second-best dual-threat QB and No. 100 overall player … 247Sports: Second-best prospect in state, nation’s No. 3 dual-threat quarterback and No. 65 overall player... ESPN: No. 85 overall player.
Muschamp: “He played for Mickey Wilson and won a state championship his junior year, his first year as a starter. He was on his way to another state championship, but unfortunately hurt his hand. He’ll be fully recovered when he steps on campus in January. He’s a guy with a 36-inch vertical, a 10-foot broad [jump], a low 4.5 [in the 40-yard dash] and can really spin it.”
O’Donnell Fortune, CB
Notes: Enrolled in January … played both cornerback and safety and also handled punt and kickoff returns … 84 career tackles with eight for loss and eight interceptions for 10-1 Sumter … 42 tackles with five for loss and three interceptions as senior … first team all-state by SC coaches … selected to Shrine Bowl … as a junior, led Sumter with five interceptions with 48 tackles and one fumble recovery … also played basketball and competed in track & field. Ratings: Rivals: SC’s 10th-best player … 247Sports: State’s 22ndbest player and country’s 116thbest cornerback. Muschamp: “Came to camp and earned the scholarship. His testing numbers were outstanding, very comparable to the combine in Indianapolis, as far as his length is concerned, his size, his change of direction, his speed. … I think all three of the DBs that we signed can play corner, can play safety, can play nickel, can play dime. The intelligence, the athleticism, the speed to finish on the top-end outside.”
Tonka Hemingway, DT
Notes: 201 career tackles with 49 for loss and 13 sacks … 92 tackles, 24 for loss and four sacks as senior … also served as team’s punter … lost in first round of AAAAA state playoffs in 2019 … selected to Shrine Bowl … first team all-state by SC coaches and three-time USA Today first-team all-state selection … also played basketball and baseball, earning first-team all-state in basketball. Ratings: Rivals: state’s seventhbest player and country’s 40thbest strongside defensive end … 247Sports: Fourth-best player in South Carolina, 28th-best defensive tackle in country and No. 314 player overall … ESPN: country’s No. 187 player overall. Muschamp: “What’s interesting with Tonka is he’s a basketball player in the winter and a pitcher and first baseman in the spring. I don’t know how much in the weight room he’s getting. When he gets in the weight room and does it full time I’m interested to see where his body is going to go. He’s a really good athlete, a 4.0 student, a guy we’re really excited about being able to keep in-state.”
Dominick Hill, CB
Notes: Enrolled in January … 30 tackles with six interceptions as senior for 13-2 team that reached state Class 5A championship game … 34 tackles, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as junior … No. 1 player in Orlando Sentinel’s 2020 Central Florida Super 60 … also competed in track & field. Ratings: Rivals: 87th-best player in Florida and country’s 28th-best “athlete”... 247Sports: 118th-best player in Florida, the country’s 70thbest cornerback and No. 887 overall prospect.
Muschamp: “Dominick just competed for the state championship. Elijah Williams is his coach, a guy who I’ve got a lot of respect for. Been committed to us the whole time. A lot of schools came and took some shots. Testing extremely well. He’s a 40-plus triple jumper, 20-plus long jumper. High jumps about 6-4, 6-5. Very explosive guy that we’re excited about.”
Joey Hunter, CB
Notes : Safety prospect … injuries ended senior season prematurely … Patriots posted a 12-2 record and played in state AAAA semifinals in 2019 … began prep career at Starr’s Mill … also competed in track & field. Ratings: Rivals: 56th-best player in Georgia and the country’s 51stbest cornerback … 247Sports: 68th-best player in Georgia, country’s 50th-best cornerback and No. 677 player overall. Muschamp: “From Sandy Creek High School, a great program. He knows about work. He knows about winning. He had a shoulder issue during the season but had that scoped and fixed. He’ll be ready to go when he gets on campus here during the spring. … A guy that gives you a lot of position multiplicity, to be able to play multiple spots on the back-end and is extremely intelligent.”
Trai Jones, C
Notes : Played on both offensive and defensive lines … first team all-state by SC coaches … enrolled in January … helped Panthers reach state semifinals in Class 2A with a 13-1 record in 2019 … led team to pair of state titles in 2017 and 2018 … selected to Shrine Bowl. Ratings: Rivals: Ninth-best player in South Carolina … 247Sports: 11th-best player in state, 19th-best center in country and No. 888 player overall. Muschamp: “It’s a perennial state championship team. He understands about winning and understands about work. He’s really a unique story. He has 34- inch arms but is only about 6-2. You start to question yourself a little bit because of height, but he runs a 4.6 at 290 pounds. He’s as powerful a guy on our team. He’ll be a 600-pound squatter and a 300-plus pound power cleaner coming out of high school. He’s really flexible in his lower body. He came to our camp and earned his scholarship. Athletic ability for an offensive lineman is off the charts. He’ll be a center or guard for us.”
MarShawn Lloyd, RB
Size: 5-9, 211 Hometown: Middletown, Del. High school: DeMatha Catholic
Notes: Enrolled in January … helped Stags to 7-4 mark as senior while serving as team captain … selected for Opening Finals, Under Armour All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl … earned top spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays after 69-yard run against Good Counsel in which he hurdled a defender on his way to a touchdown … also competed in track & field. Ratings: Rivals: Third-best player in Maryland, fifth-best running back in country and No. 31 overall … 247Sports: Third-best player in state, eighth-best running back in country and No. 39 overall … ESPN: No. 53 overall.
Muschamp: “He committed in May and never wavered. He had everybody in the country on him. He is very explosive in his lower body. He has a 36-inch vertical leap at 215 pounds. He has great lateral change in direction, great vision and is a tough, hard runner. Thomas Brown did a fantastic job recruiting MarShawn. We’re really excited about MarShawn.”
Mohamed Kaba, LB
Notes : Played inside linebacker but also several positions on offense … enrolled in January … helped lead Dark Horses to a 12-2 record and 2-AA state semifinals as senior … tore ACL during senior season, limiting him to just four games … invited to AllAmerican Bowl … also competed in track & field. Ratings: Rivals: 16th-best player in North Carolina and country’s 49th-best outside linebacker … 247Sports: 10th-best player in North Carolina, nation’s 11th-best inside linebacker and No. 228 overall … ESPN: Country’s No. 229 overall player.
When we started evaluating linebackers ... He was No. 1 on our board.
Vershon Lee, G
Notes : Enrolled in January … led Eagles to 11-1 record and Class 6 playoffs as senior … first team all-district on both offensive and defensive lines … second-team all-state in 2018 … also played basketball and was a first-team all-district in 2018. Ratings: Rivals: 18th-best player in Virginia and 75th-best offensive tackle ... 247Sports: 20th-best player in Virginia, country’s 44thbest guard and No. 728 overall. Muschamp: “We targeted him early in the process. Eric Wolford and I were recruiting Jakai Moore last year. We went to see him in the day but went to watch Vershon play basketball. I knew then athletically this guy is what we’re looking for. He’s 6-4 plus with 34-inch arms, has great length and athleticism and has huge upside as a player. He comes from a great family.”
Muschamp: “When we started evaluating linebackers and looking at the 2020 class, he was No. 1 on our board, as far as his athleticism and his physicality that he played with, his contact speed, his short-area quickness to engage.”
Michael Wyman, WR
Notes : Enrolled in January … helped Dudley to 10-3 record and second round of playoffs in 2019 and 10-4 mark and quarterfinals in 2018 … 26 receptions for 465 yards as senior … caught 46 passes for 664 yards and five touchdowns as junior and 18 for 478 and six scores as sophomore … first-team All-Area in 2018 … also played basketball. Ratings: Rivals: 13th-best player in North Carolina and 74th-best receiver in country … 247Sports: No. 12 player in North Carolina, 49th-best wide receiver in country and No. 295 overall … ESPN: No. 226 player overall.
Muschamp: “He’s a big receiver, a guy we had in camp two years ago. Mike and his mom, Bonnie, have been with us from day one. They committed here and it’s been a good process. He was a state champion as a junior. He’s a big target and a guy that catches the ball extremely well.”
Rico Powers Jr., WR
Notes : Played final prep season at Hapeville Charter … Led Hornets to 10-2-1 record and state AA quarterfinals as senior … attended Benedictine High School in Savannah prior to transferring … 2019 Nike The Opening Charlotte Top Performer … Savannah Morning News Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 … 1,006 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns and 8.7 yards per carry … 2018 All-Greater Savannah First Team Offense … as sophomore, had 842 yards rushing and 449 yards receiving with 16 touchdowns … also played basketball and ran track. Ratings: Rivals: 26th-best player in Georgia, country’s 42nd-best wide receiver and No. 228 overall ... 247Sports: 31st-best player in Georgia, country’s 52nd-best wide receiver and No. 307 overall. Muschamp: “A very explosive guy with a 35-inch vertical leap and over 10-foot broad [jump]. He runs extremely well. We got J.J. Enagbare from that high school and he’s had a fantastic career here at South Carolina. Rico is an explosive guy, has a lot of length. He is the starting point guard on their basketball team, is over 6-2 and is a guy that can really stretch the field vertically as we continue to replenish ourselves at the receiver position.”
Makius Scott, DT
Notes : Played on both sides of the ball … also competed in track & field … sixth in state in shot put in 2019 … has 8-foot wingspan. Ratings: Rivals: 86th-best player in Georgia and country’s 58thbest defensive tackle ... 247Sports: 101st-best player in Georgia, country’s 79th-best defensive tackle and No. 979 overall.
He has really good feet and change in direction.
Muschamp: “He’s another guy that came to camp and earned the offer. We liked his tape and wanted to see him move around. He has really good feet and change in direction with good length in his upper body. We think he’s going to be a really good inside technique. He has a huge upside as an athlete, another guy you go watch play basketball and you see him bend and come off the floor for a big guy that’s 300-plus. It’s very impressive to see his athleticism.”
Tyshawn Wannamaker, G
Size: 6-4, 347 Hometown: St. Matthews, S.C. High school: Calhoun County
Notes: First commitment of 2020 class in spring of sophomore year … enrolled in January … Saints posted 6-6 mark in 2019, reaching second round of playoffs … selected to play in Shrine Bowl … first team all-state by SC coaches … first-team all-state as junior by USA TODAY … also competed in throw events on track team. Ratings: Rivals: Eighth-best player in South Carolina and country’s 35thbest guard ... 247Sports: Seventh-best player in South Carolina, 23rd-best guard in country and No. 446 overall … ESPN: No. 270 player in country.
Muschamp: “He’s from Calhoun County right down the road. He’s another powerful guy inside. Trai and Tyshawn aren’t guys that go to many camps. They aren’t going to get rated high, but we feel inside player-wise that they are as good as we’ve seen on tape all year. He is 6-4, 350 pounds with 34- inch arms. He looks like he’s 280 pounds and that’s what you want guys to look like. He has great mass on him and great camp numbers. … Alshon Jeffery texted me before I came into this press conference to congratulate me on getting another good player from Calhoun County.”
Eric Shaw, ATH
Notes : Tight end prospect who also played receiver and outside linebacker … helped Rebels to 13-2 record and Class 2A championship game as senior … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game participant … tore ACL during junior season … also played basketball and competed in track & field … six-time state track & field champion … won three consecutive 110-meter high hurdle titles … won three titles in spring of 2019 (high jump, 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles) … also qualified for state finals in shot put. Ratings: Rivals: 15th-best player in Alabama and country’s 22ndbest tight end … 247Sports: 17thbest player in Alabama, 16th-best “athlete” in country and No. 379 overall. Muschamp: “He’s 6-3, 6-4 and about 210 pounds. He was a high jumper over six-foot and long jumps over 20 feet. He’s a very explosive guy. He played in the state title game this year. … He can play defense, outside linebacker, but wants to play tight end and that’s where we’re going to play him at. He has a big frame and is a really good athlete we are excited about.”
Jazston Turnetine, T
Size: 6-6, 337 Hometown: Ellenwood, Ga. Previous school: Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College
Notes : Enrolled in January … will have three years to play two … started at offensive tackle for two seasons at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College … secondteam NJCAA All-America as sophomore … Blue Dragons were 10-2 mark in 2019 and 9-3 his freshman season, winning Salt City Bowl both years … graduated from Stockbridge (Ga.) High School in 2018. Ratings: JC-Gridiron.com: No. 4 JUCO offensive tackle in nation … Rivals: 48th-best JUCO prospect ... 247Sports: country’s 14th-best JUCO offensive tackle and No. 84 JUCO player overall. Muschamp: “He’s from Hutchinson Junior College. He is 6-7, 340 pounds with 36-inch arms, a massive human being. He can really move his feet and bend in his lower body. We tracked him out of high school at Stockbridge. He went to Hutch and had a fantastic career.”
