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The South Carolina Gamecocks need to search for momentum on the recruiting trail.
The South Carolina Gamecocks currently have their eyes set on the 2025 college football season, but this is also a busy time for recruiting. Players in the 2026 class have been taking their official visits over the last few weeks, and many of them have announced their commitment.
As for the Gamecocks, they currently have eight commits in the class and have picked up three commitments since the start of June. For context, there are only two SEC programs that have fewer commits this cycle than South Carolina: Missouri and Kentucky.
Other teams in the conference have been stacking up. Georgia has 19 commits, Mississippi State has 23, Texas A&M has 19, Texas has 15 and Vanderbilt has 13.
South Carolina has been working on several big-time prospects in the class, most notably Landon Duckworth, a top-100 player in the class and one of the top quarterbacks in the country. However, it's starting to feel like the Gamecocks need a big month in July if they want to secure one of the top classes in the conference.
It should be noted that if the Gamecocks do land Duckworth, it will likely result in other players following suit. Typically, once a program has found its quarterback in a class, they are able to zero in on other prospects and start piecing together the rest of the class.
It's by no means something fans should be panicking over, but as the summer months wind down, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.
More must-reads:
- Matt Campbell finalizes program-friendly contract extension with Iowa State
- Top Micah Parsons landing spots as Cowboys' contract talks deteriorate
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Top Micah Parsons landing spots as Cowboys' contract talks deteriorate
The relationship between superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys doesn't appear to be improving. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that the two sides were moving backward in their contract negotiations. On Friday, Parsons posted on his social media that he had requested a trade out of Dallas. However, The Athletic's Dianna Russini claimed the Cowboys have "no intention" of trading him. Given this information, let's take a look at three landing spots that make the most sense for Parsons. Denver Broncos The Broncos allowed the third-fewest amount of points in 2024-25 (311 points), per ESPN stats, and already have one of the best defensive units in football. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Jahdae Barron were added to the group this offseason, so why not continue to bolster? Denver owns all of its upcoming draft picks over the next three years, which could be used in a package to acquire Parsons. They are also set to have a ton of cap space available for 2026 and 2027, enabling them to put forth the contract offer that Parsons is seeking. With three more seasons of quarterback Bo Nix on a rookie deal, the Broncos could take advantage and go all in on the superstar pass-rusher, making a potent front seven that much more dangerous. Los Angeles Chargers The team that allowed even fewer points than the Broncos last season? The Chargers (301 points). Head coach Jim Harbaugh immediately righted the ship defensively upon his arrival, but there remain holes to fill. They've shed plenty of money in recent years, which included a former third-overall pick from 2016 in DE Joey Bosa. It's now time to use that cap space to bring in a difference maker on defense. Like Denver, Los Angeles holds all of its own draft picks from 2026 through 2028 and is capable of putting the pieces together to pry Parsons out of Dallas. Not only could the Chargers compensate the 26-year-old, but it's likely he would be fine with calling Los Angeles home. New England Patriots The Patriots currently have the most cap space in the NFL and are in a prime position to strike at any moment. It's been a difficult last few seasons in Foxborough, but the vibe has changed with new head coach Mike Vrabel taking over. The Patriots culture is back, and it's now up to the front office to provide Vrabel with more talent on both sides of the ball. New England is in desperate need of a game-breaking player. Parsons fits the mold perfectly. The Pats had a league-worst 28 sacks last season, per ESPN stats, so the pass rush could use some help. General manager Eliot Wolf is well-equipped with draft capital to feel comfortable making such a move.
Report: Knicks made a signing based on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade belief
The New York Knicks aren't waiting for the offseason drama surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to end before taking care of a key signing for their roster this summer. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Knicks signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year deal worth $150M on Thursday. "New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges has agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract extension with the franchise, agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN," Charania posted on X. "The new deal includes a player option for 2029-30 and a trade kicker." Bridges' extension might not have happened if the Knicks believed they had a serious shot to land an elite player in a trade this summer. Per Ashish Mathur of Hoops Wire, the Knicks made their decision to sign Bridges to a new deal after they learned Antetokounmpo plans to stay in Milwaukee. "The New York Knicks got intel that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks before signing Mikal Bridges to an extension, an NBA source told Hoops Wire on Thursday," Mathur wrote. "...The Knicks would have pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo had the two-time MVP requested a trade from the Bucks. All signs point toward Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee." Due to the player option Bridges has in his new deal, the guard cannot be traded for at least six months. Mathur's report signals the reality that New York wants to land another star to pair with Jalen Brunson. However, the Knicks might not make a big splash until the trade deadline next year. The Knicks need a big man who can score and play defense at a high level in the playoffs, something Karl-Anthony Towns was unable to do in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Lakers reportedly monitoring two-time All-Star's availability
The Los Angeles Lakers finished last season with a dud after propelling to the third seed of the Western Conference, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. The one thing that the Wolves exposed was the Lakers' lack of an inside presence. The center spot was weak once they traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic midway through the season, but they found a way to manage despite putrid numbers coming from the center position. The Lakers were bottom five in both rebounds and points per game for centers during the regular season after the All-Star break. However, in the postseason, the numbers got worse. They tried to use their original starting center, Jaxson Hayes, to man the paint, but he only played 7.8 minutes per game while only scoring 1.8 points and grabbing two rebounds per contest. This team knows it needs extreme levels of help for the center spot, which is why it is reportedly looking at a former All-Star center's situation. Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints reported that the Lakers are closely monitoring the situation between Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have shipped out several key players over the last year, with Vucevic being the lone former All-Star still on the roster. As his trade market winds down, some have speculated that a potential buyout is on the horizon. However, Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reported on "The Fastbreak" podcast that the Bulls have no intentions of a buyout and would like to move him for assets at the trade deadline. Vucevic would be a massive upgrade alongside Deandre Ayton, whom the Lakers signed earlier in the offseason. Vucevic put up very impressive numbers last season, averaging 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field in 73 games. His career numbers are just as impressive, and he's a former two-time All-Star as well. The Lakers should continue to monitor Vucevic and assess the Bulls' ultimate plan for him. With Ayton already in the fold, a trade for Vucevic could put them at the top of the Western Conference.
Terry McLaurin’s trade request somehow ends with the Cowboys getting clowned
There's no way of sugarcoating the Washington Commanders' contract standoff with Terry McLaurin. It is, in a word, unfortunate. Coming off of their best season in more than 30 years, the fan-favorite wide receiver is unhappy with contract negotiations and has now officially requested a trade. It's been a stunning, disheartening development that has derailed a significant chunk of the positive energy in D.C. this offseason. If it's any solace, there is one thing Washington can do — always. That, of course, is laughing at the Dallas Cowboys for managing to screw things up even worse with one of their superstars. Micah Parsons' drama makes Commanders' Terry McLaurin saga look like standard business Leave it to Jerry Jones to come through in the clutch by alienating one of his best players right as Washington's dysfunction had taken center stage. That's what has happened with Micah Parsons, who officially let it be known that he no longer wants to be in Dallas. This does not read as a negotiating tactic, the way McLaurin's situation can still be interpreted as. It doesn't read as if there's any chance Parsons' relationship with the Cowboys can still be repaired. It reads as "This is personal, and I'm out." There's also much less of a leg to stand on here from Dallas' standpoint. With McLaurin, at least the Commanders' front office can contend that he's a month away from being on the wrong side of 30 years old and is asking for more money than he may be worth a few years from now. Parsons, on the other hand, is only seeking his second NFL contract. In theory, it should take him through the peak of his career. The former Penn State standout, who is already a two-time All-Pro in only four seasons, should be getting the type of deal that's richer than any player at his position before him. Most teams in the NFL would have no problems ponying up the cash, but not the Cowboys. Jones has made a history of stringing players along when it comes to contract talks. CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott were the most recent examples last summer. That may work with some players, but Parsons is having none of it. The funniest outcome that could come from this, of course, is that Parsons ends up in Washington. It's doubtful that either team would trade their disgruntled star within the division, but if it reaches the point of no return with McLaurin, Adam Peters has a solid head start on a package for him. It's also worth noting that the 2021 first-round pick still maintains a close relationship with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, his former defensive coordinator. Regardless, this was the best news any Commanders fan could have hoped for. Not only does the rest of the NFL move on from talking about McLaurin, but it comes at the expense of Washington's biggest rival. More Commanders news and analysis
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