From Gators to Gamecocks: Updates on Shell, Turner

It's the off season for football players, but a few Gators have been making headlines in the past week. 

Goose Creek alum and USC freshman Brandon Shell was featured in a recent Post and Courier article. Shell is getting some action in spring training in the blind spot at left tackle.

"We know he’s a heck of an athlete," said offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. "Has huge upside. Now, he’s just got to develop into what we think he’s going to be. I have no idea about how good he could be at this point. He can really blossom into something special, I think."

Shell tells the paper he's ready to play in the SEC.

Meanwhile, the Gamecocks have another Gator to prepare for. In-demand Goose Creek Junior Gerald Turner committed to the Gamecocks last week for the 2013 season.

Brian McLaughlin with our partners over at Sporting News notes that Turner is a big catch for USC and a loss for Clemson and North Carolina, who were also trying to get the player in their program.

"I mean, staying in state I think is what I had in mind the whole time, but I just wasn’t sure (earlier)," Turner told Sporting News. "Once me and (defensive line) coach (Brad) Lawing started to bond with each other, I kind of had a feeling I wanted him to be my coach for the next four or five years. I feel like I can bring South Carolina’s defense to another level with my speed and quickness and I know I may be a little bit undersized, but they are used to playing with an undersized player—like Eric Norwood."