South-Carolina
NC State Football in Mix for South Carolina TE Connor Cox
After recording only nine appearances and one reception across two years with the South Carolina Gamecocks, tight end Connor Cox formally entered the transfer portal on Monday, the same day it opened for business. And on Thursday night, the 6-foot-6, 251-pound talent revealed an offer from 12th-year NC State football head coach Dave Doeren and his crew.
ALSO READ: NC State Joins Growing Battle for Giant OT Alex Wollschlaeger
He has also advertised offers from Kansas and Michigan State this week. However, the NC State offer remains the most recent.
Cox, who plans to visit the Wolfpack next week, toured the NC State football program as a recruit in January 2022 before committing to the Gamecocks a few months later. The Bolles School (Fla.) product arrived in Columbia as a three-star prospect ranking No. 717 overall, No. 33 among tight ends, and No. 113 in Florida on the 247Sports 2023 Composite.
With three years of eligibility remaining, the 20-year-old Connor Cox could be a valuable long-term addition wherever he lands.
As things stand, the coaches in Raleigh are still on the prowl for their first pledge from this year’s transfer portal. They are active in races at several positions, with the offensive line standing out as the biggest area of need.
Meanwhile, almost a dozen members of the 2024 NC State football roster are seeking new opportunities elsewhere for next season.
ALSO READ: Former Wolfpack Star KC Concepcion Now Visiting Powerhouse
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State football transfer portal news.
South-Carolina
Jackson State vs. South Carolina State: Predictions, odds for Celebration Bowl
US LBM Coaches Poll: How SMU earned a CFP nod over Alabama
The final regular season US LBM Coaches Poll is here and Paul Myerberg breaks down the top storylines now that the CFP bracket is set.
Sports Pulse
The college football bowl season kicks off with a bang as the Cricket Celebration Bowl features the Jackson State Tigers facing off against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at noon on Saturday.
The Tigers are riding a wave of momentum into the bowl game, having clinched their third SWAC conference championship with a resounding 41-13 victory over the Southern Jaguars. This triumph, despite an early setback with quarterback Jacobian Morgan’s injury, was a testament to the team’s resilience and depth, with backup Zy McDonald stepping up to lead the offense effectively. McDonald’s 54.5% completion rate, one touchdown, one interception, and a rushing touchdown for 95 yards further underscore the Tigers’ readiness for the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
The Bulldogs are entering bowl season with a 9-2 record, having secured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. The offense is spearheaded by Eric Phoenix, a transfer from Murray State. In his first season with the Bulldogs, Phoenix delivered an impressive performance, achieving a 65.3% completion rate with 2,469 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Here is everything to know ahead of the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Cricket Celebration Bowl predictions: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State
Clarion Ledger: South Carolina State 27, Jackson State 23
Sam Sklar writes: “It’s difficult to pick weaknesses from each team. Jackson State has already won games this season despite quarterback attrition. But with Morgan’s status unknown, the Tigers’ offense has a slow start that it can’t overcome.”
College Football News: Jackson State 27, South Carolina State 24
Fiu Bluesky writes: “This game never seems to disappoint – it was 7 in our How Good Was Your Bowl? rankings last year – and this time is should be just as strong. Jackson State isn’t as good as it was in the Coach Prime era, but those 2021 and 2022 teams both lost. Both teams are explosive, both have a terrific defense, but Jackson State has a bit more power to go with the flash.”
Picks and Parlays: South Carolina State Bulldogs win 27-17
Eddie Kline writes: “South Carolina State has won seven straight games and has scored 107 points total in their last two contests. Jackson State has one three of the previous four SWAC Conference Championships and has been on this stage. Look for the Bulldogs to pull off the upset and give the MEAC its seventh win in the last nine games in this bowl. Final Score Prediction, South Carolina State Bulldogs win 27-17.”
Cricket Celebration Bowl odds, lines: Jackson State vs. South Carolina State
The Jacksonville State Tigers are favorites to defeat the South Carolina State Bulldogs, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of afternoon of Friday, Dec. 13.
- Spread: South Carolina State (-2.5)
- Moneylines: South Carolina State (-130); Jackson State (-120); South Carolina State (+110)
- Over/under: 53.5
How to watch Jackson State vs. South Carolina State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Tickets to the Cricket Celebration Bowl with StubHub
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South-Carolina
South Carolina Department of Corrections student inmates celebrate graduation
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – On Friday, several South Carolina Department of Corrections student inmates marked a major accomplishment as they celebrated their graduation from the Columbia International University Prison Initiative.
The prison initiative consists of two years of course designed to prepare inmates for ministry within the prison system. The graduates are enrolled in courses in the Old and New Testament, history, English, and more.
“Graduates of the CIU Prison Initiative step forward every day and make a difference in the lives of their fellow inmates,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. “We are fortunate to be able to offer this degree program at no cost to taxpayers through our continued partnership with CIU.”
The program began in 2007 and today, 13 more graduates earned their degrees. Since its inception, 201 men and women have graduated from the program serving in 21 institutions.
Organizers say they hope that in their roles, the graduates can help improve the culture of the prison population.
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South-Carolina
Biden commuted 21 South Carolinians. Who are they and when are their release dates?
More than a dozen federal inmates convicted in South Carolina were among the nearly 1,500 who had sentences commuted by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
In a move the White House said was the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history, Biden commuted 1,499 sentences and granted 39 pardons for people convicted of non-violent crimes. Two South Carolina women, Denita Parker of Gaffney and Shawnte Williams of Columbia, received pardons.
The White House said all who received the commuted sentences had been serving the remainder of their sentences at home in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A pardon forgives a crime, while commutations leave the convictions in place but eliminate or reduce a sentence.
The South Carolina list of people commuted, along with their new set release dates include:
- James Brown, 46, set release date of Feb. 13, 2027
- Sirrico Burnside, 53, set release date of Feb. 20, 2027
- Benard Clark, 54, set release date of Nov. 06, 2025
- Hendrick Cousar, 45, set release date of March 20, 2028
- Melvin Daniels, 34, set release date of Aug. 16, 2025
- Vernon Edwards, 48, set release date of Oct. 8, 2027
- Antonio Gaddist, 49, set release date of Dec. 24, 2027
- Lidderick Gomez, 30, set release date of Dec. 18, 2026
- Shawn Green, 46, set release date of May 6, 2025
- Frank Hamilton, 47, set release date of July 5, 2025
- James Harper, 51, set release date of March 10, 2025
- Terrence Hodge, 36, set release of date Feb. 7, 2025
- Joseph Dee Jacobs, 46, set release of date Dec. 22, 2024
- Lee Lindsey, 38, set release date of March 28, 2027
- April Miller, 50, set release date of Dec. 22, 2024
- Devonte Prioleau, 32, set release date of May 25, 2025
- Gena Randolph, 50, set release date of Jan. 4, 2025
- Flint Randolph, 62, set release date of May 14, 2025
- James Snowden III, 40, set release date of June 11, 2025
- Roderick Strong, 45, set release date of Feb. 11, 2028
- Tara Thompson, 45, set release date of May 1, 2025
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