ESPN RISE

It appears Christmas came early for the University of South Carolina men's soccer program this week.

The Gamecocks secured verbal commitments from five Class of 2010 prospects in a three-day period.

Highlighting the run of verbals are a pair of ESP participants in Trevor Hubbard of Texas and Chipper Root of North Carolina. Jason Chapman of South Carolina and North Carolina prospects Will McGinnis and J.P. Rafferty also committed to the Gamecocks.

Hubbard was the top-rated defender by ESPNRISE.com at last year's adidas ESP camp in Denver. The junior at Highland Park (Dallas) who plays for Solar 92 drew rave reviews from the ESP coaching staff.

He plans to return to ESP this summer since the program, which experimented with rising juniors last year, returns to field rising seniors in this summer's event.

Hubbard said he picked South Carolina over Duke, Furman, Northwestern, San Diego and Villanova. South Carolina and Northwestern were his finalists.

"They had an outstanding '09 signing class, and the '10s are looking like a great class, too," Hubbard said. "South Carolina has a great chance to go far in the conference and in the NCAA tournament."

Hubbard said he was impressed by South Carolina's competition level, the school's location and the fact it offers a strong international business program, in which he plans to major.

Hubbard, who played for Solar 92's state cup-winning teams in 2007 and 2008, projects as a right back, but could move into the right attack.

The ESPNRISE.com ESP report on Hubbard read: "Hubbard might not have the name recognition as others at ESP, but his performance really improved his stock. Like several top defensive players at the event, Hubbard can play in the mid or in the back. During matches he was always in position to receive the ball. He was good at overlapping and he passes well. At times, he came from the back to get into the attack. Watch for this player in the near future."

Root is on a hot streak with club power CASL. The left midfielder has been CASL's leading scorer in recent months.

Chapman attends Dorman in Spartanburg, S.C., and plays club for Carolina Elite Soccer Academy, while McGinnis attends Charlotte Latin and plays club for the North Meck Storm. Both are midfield prospects. Rafferty, a defender from Raleigh, N.C., is club teammates with Root.

The following are recent additions to the national soccer signing/commitment list:

2009
Patrick Compton, Air Force
Teo Larsson, Dartmouth
Stojan Nedelchev, Dartmouth

For the complete list, click here.

2010
Jason Chapman, South Carolina
Trevor Hubbard, South Carolina
Will McGinnis, South Carolina
J.P. Rafferty, South Carolina
Chipper Root, South Carolina

For the complete list, click here.