South Carolina QB emerges

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.- Two wins against a preseason nationally-ranked in-state foe, combined with a stellar week of practice and game at the South Carolina North-South All-Star game has Gaffney High quarterback Malcolm Long emerging as a prospect to watch with regards to recruiting.

There have been many inquiries about Long since he led his team to a regular season win against Byrnes High and five-star quarterback Willy Korn. After Gaffney defeated the Rebels in the playoffs and went on to win the Class 4A, Division I state championship, his status grew.

He took another huge step Saturday.

The 6-foot-2, 228-pound signal caller earned offensive MVP honors for the victorious North squad with his performance Saturday. He completed 9-of-19 passes for 125 yards and had a 15-yard touchdown strike to his favorite target, high school teammate and fellow sleeper prospect Tyson Petty in leading the North to a 24-0 win.

Two days before the game, Long spoke confidently, as any good quarterback should, about his team's preparation for the contest.

"We've really been having great practices for the North team," he said. "Everybody is coming together and learning the system. After a few days of running it, everybody is getting a long good, we should win on Saturday."

It was a prophetic statement indeed.

So far on the recruiting trail, Long, who was named "Mr. Football" in the state of South Carolina this week, has not received much attention in the way of Division I-A scholarship offers. South Carolina and East Carolina have talked with him, but don't appear to be on the verge of doing anything. He has offers from Western Carolina, South Carolina State, Mars Hill and Gardner-Webb and Coastal Carolina has been in touch.

If the Division I-A programs don't come calling, the junior college route could be an option. At least one junior college program was in attendance on Saturday and liking what they saw out of Long, citing his ability to win and play the game at a high level.

Wherever he ends up, Long is physically ready to play in college. He has a strong arm and is above average with regards to accuracy. He also can run when needed (he had 34 yards on eight carries Saturday) and has excellent leadership skills.

"I just come into the game," he said. "Everybody knows me for my strong arm and deep ball ability. Late in the season, my coaches have let me run the ball more. I found that was a plus for me to be able to step up in the pocket or run up in the pocket. I can run it when I need to or throw it when I need to.

"I think college coaches really like that in a quarterback."

Long currently is a two-star rated prospect according to Rivals.com.