South Carolina football recruiting: OrTre Smith to unveil top group next week; Georgia making a push?|USC Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

Things continue to progress with OrTre Smith’s recruitment, and now we’re closer to knowing who his top teams are. Smith reported yesterday that he would release a top “four or five” next week.

It’s thought that South Carolina and Clemson are the two favorites in the Smith sweepstakes, but there might be a dark horse: Georgia. The Dawgs, specifically tight ends/special teams coach Shane Beamer (of course, a former Gamecocks staffer under Steve Spurrier), have been working the rising senior and looking to get into the mix. Smith mentioned that he and Beamer speak almost daily.

I don’t want to say anything, but it is a good situation for me. The depth chart is good for me. They don’t have a lot of tall receivers so the opportunity at Georgia sets up well for me…

It is a major contender…The people are great. It is nice. I like it. Coach Beamer is an amazing man. I also respect coach Kirby Smart a great deal.

A decision is still set for September 11 (Smith’s birthday), and while the Gamecocks will be going head-to-head with the Tigers to ultimately win him over, they might have a little company.

Deandre Johnson off the Gamecocks’ radar?

The Gamecocks have hauled in several Florida defenders over the past couple of weeks, namely Tavyn Jackson and Damarri Mathis. That might mean there’s no room for Deandre Johnson, who released his top six today – and South Carolina found themselves not on it. It’s interesting to mention that Tennessee offered him on June 10 but made the list despite offering rather recently.