The addition of safety Hamsah Nasirildeen has helped change the complexion of South Carolina's 2017 recruiting class. Coach Will Muschamp had steadily been building a deep and versatile class, but Nasirldeen's commitment Tuesday gave the group a signature prospect to complement its breadth of talent.
Nasirildeen is a hyper-athletic safety and is ranked as a four-star talent by both ESPN and 247 Sports. He can also line up as a wide receiver and is listed as 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, so his measurables certainly make him an intriguing option on both sides of the ball.
Nasirildeen, a native of North Carolina, drew interest from most of the major programs in the ACC and SEC. New running back coach Bobby Bentley deserves a lot of credit for helping land Nasirildeen as the lead recruiter during the process.
Bentley was also involved in the recruitment of the Gamecock's other two four-star prospects, receiver Shi Smith and offensive tackle T.J. Moore. Of course he also helped bring his son, high-touted 2016 quarterback Jake Bentley to Columbia.
The importance of landing top-tier talents like Nasirildeen cannot be overstated. Elite talents often follow other elite talents in a domino effect tendency that can impact recruiting. As Muschamp's staff looks to design their first class that is truly their own, they hope that the acquisition of Nasirildeen serves as a springboard for other commitments.