David Grooms
Tony Pride Jr. was one of new USC Head Coach Will Muschamp's first visits at Greer High School.
Muschamp, who was introduced Monday as Steve Spurrier's successor at the helm of the Gamecocks, wasted no time hitting the recruiting trail. Online reports indicated that Muschamps traveled to Greer along with former interim head coach Shawn Elliott.
But Muschamp was not the only NCAA Division I head coach reportedly in Greer to visit with Pride this week.
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente, who was hired from Memphis to replace the retired Frank Beamer, also was said to visit Pride in an effort to gain his re-commitment to the Hokies.
Pride made an early verbal commitment to Virginia Tech but de-committed soon after the announcement of Beamer's retirement.
Since then, Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee and Notre Dame have entered the recruiting sweepstakes for the Shrine Bowler.
According to reports, former Notre Dame running back and current assistant coach Autry Denson has also visited Pride in Greer.
Cusano offered
Record-setting Greer quarterback Mario Cusano received his first official football scholarship offer this week.
NCAA Division II Limestone College in Gaffney made the offer.
Cusano Tweeted that he'd received the offer from the Saints on Dec. 2.
Former Yellow Jackets receiver D'Anta Fleming just finished his sophomore season with the Saints, who will compete in their third football season in 2016.
Cusano said late in the season that he had received contact from Presbyterian, Appalachian State and Wake Forest among others.
Bentley back in S.C. with Gamecocks
After two seasons as an offensive analyst at Auburn, former Byrnes head coach Bobby Bentley has returned to his home state.
Bentley followed former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to South Carolina where Bentley will serve on Muschamp's staff as an offensive assistant, reportedly as running backs coach.
"Thx AU family for 2 great yrs," Bentley Tweeted on Monday.
Bentley also tweeted a photo of himself and new South Carolina defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson in front of an airplane with the Gamecocks' logo on it.
Like Muschamp, Bentley and Robinson quickly hit the recruiting trail, reportedly visiting Conway receiver Bryan Edwards in an effort to earn his re-commitment.
Bentley was also reportedly at Spartanburg High School to visit S.C. Mr. Football Tavien Feaster, who has been committed to Clemson since last year.
Bentley’s son, Shuler, just completed his redshirt freshman season at Old Dominion University. Schuler lost his starting position, embarrassingly, after the first series in a game near mid-season. No reports have linked Shuler transferring to USC to rejoin his father.