Making the Case: Rivals250 athlete Dakereon Joyner

Now that the class of 2018 is officially on the clock, several of the nation’s top players have started cutting their lists in advance of a commitment announcement.

Today, experts from the Rivals.com network examine where Rivals250 athlete Dakereon Joyner might end up playing his college football. The candidates are N.C. State and South Carolina.

MORE: Mike Farrell's Three-Point Stance | Commitment Issues Podcast

Joyner recently narrowed his list from five schools to two in advance of a June decision and it’s an all Carolinas battle. The longtime favorite is South Carolina, but N.C. State has outlasted programs such as Georgia and Oregon to make it into his final group. So where will he end up? We asked our team experts to state the case for their respective programs and let National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell issue a verdict.

“Before Will Muschamp's arrival, Joyner could have been pegged to head anywhere but South Carolina. The staff's prioritization of him as a true quarterback, the offensive system and relationships he's built up with the staff in Columbia have all paid significant dividends with Joyner's public announcement approaching in June. He's an in-state prospect who's been prioritized from the start for USC. It's common nowadays for programs to search for quarterbacks who can be a true dual-threat, either with designed runs, extending plays with their legs and of course a guy who can get the ball downfield. While he's not a finished product, Joyner has made a lot of strides throwing the ball. He is intelligent and has natural leadership capabilities, which are also important at the position. Given what South Carolina likes to do within the offense, he's a good fit.” – Chris Clark, GamecockCentral.com

“The opportunity is ripe at NC State for someone in the 2018 class to be a three- to four-year starter. Redshirt juniors Ryan Finley and Jalan McClendon will be seniors when Joyner would be a freshman, and then the competition is wide open for the 2019 season, when Joyner would probably be a redshirt freshman. Joyner would get a chance to learn from not one but two upperclassmen for a year and be well-prepped for the ensuing competition. He should also have a comfort level at NC State. His former teammate and good friend, Eurndraus Bryant, is a junior defensive tackle for the Wolfpack who has done well in Raleigh. So NC State is a good combination of opportunity and comfort.” – Matt Carter, TheWolfpacker.com

“I think he picks South Carolina. The in-state factor could be a big one. The development they have done with Jake Bentley, his relationship with the offensive coaches and with Will Muschamp, who has been involved, and the fact that he’d be the only quarterback in the class all lead me to believe he stays in-state. NC State is a solid option and he likes the coaches there as well, but the home cooking and comfort level likely win this one for South Carolina. “ – Farrell