In the summer of 2009, South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia organized informal 7-on-7 passing workouts at the practice fields in Columbia.
Garcia was interested to check out a pair of highly rated recruits who had stayed home to play for the Gamecocks – cornerback Stephon Gilmore from Rock Hill and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery from St. Matthews.
Garcia took one glance at the chiseled Gilmore at that first passing session and was certain his new teammate would be a big-time SEC player.
“I knew Stephon (would be a star) right off the bat just with his overall size and ability,” Garcia said.