SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Storylines are continuing to develop as teams completed their final practice ahead of Saturday’s Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
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THOMPSON COMMITS TO SOUTH CAROLINA
A day after suffering an injury scare on the practice field, versatile three-star Irno (S.C.) Dutch Fork prospect Bryce Thompson was back in action and showed no ill effects. But it wasn't his on-field performance that made headlines. Shortly after the morning session on Wednesday, Thompson committed to South Carolina, a move that had been expected following an official visit to Columbia last weekend.
The one-time Virginia Tech commit has played all over the field in his high school career, but is expected to play defensive back for the Gamecocks. The addition of Thompson gives South Carolina another reason to tune in for Saturday's game, which will feature several future Gamecocks players.
HOLLIFIELD GETTING PULLED IN THREE DIRECTIONS
The recruitment of Rivals250 linebacker Dax Hollifield has been one of the biggest stories surround the Shrine Bowl. Teammates and coaches are not letting up on him despite the fact that he is not signing next week during the early signing period. Jordyn Adams, a North Carolina commit, is staying on Hollifield and making sure he feels wanted in Chapel Hill. Even the North Carolina coaches are keeping their foot on the gas. They did an in-home visit on Tuesday night with Hollifield’s parents and grandparents without Dax even being there.
Stanford coaches have been texting back and forth with Hollifield the last few days and Virginia Tech coaches Justin Fuente and Bud Foster spoke to Hollifield on the phone last night. Hokie commits Alan Tisdale and DJ Crossen, just like Adams, are staying on Hollifield and he has enjoyed playing on defense alongside them.
JEFFCOAT MIZZOU-BOUND?
For the third consecutive day, three-star defensive end/outside linebacker Trajan Jeffcoat was sporting a pair of Missouri gloves, only furthering the perception that the Tigers are set to land his commitment next week. Jeffcoat has been playing linebacker during this week’s practices after spending the season at defensive end for his high school team.
When asked about the Tigers, Jeffcoat lauded the program’s history of developing players like him in the past into future NFL draft picks. An announcement date is still to be determined, but it would be pretty surprising if he didn’t sign with the Tigers next week.
BIG RECEIVERS SET TO MAKE IMPACT
Jordyn Adams and Dyami Brown are the headlining wide receivers for the North Carolina squad, but Devin Carter and Bryce Wheaton might have a bigger impact in the Shrine Bowl on Saturday. Carter, a 6-foot-4 N.C. State commit, and Wheaton, a 6-foot-3 West Virginia commit, have been consistently targeted by the quarterbacks over the last few days. They rarely drop a ball and will be used heavily in the short and intermediate passing game.
TISDALE AND 'LUNCH PAIL 'D''
Virginia Tech linebacker commit Alan Tisdale had an outstanding day of practice. He showed off his range by knocking down a lot of passes during the seven-on-seven session and did a good job anticipating the play. Tisdale’s speed gave running backs and quarterbacks problems throughout the day. Virginia Tech fans should be very excited about how defensive coordinator Bud Foster will be able to use him in the “Lunch Pail D”.
