South Carolina got some quality contributions from a handful of 2016 recruits last season and the Gamecocks are likely hoping to get similar help from a few members of their 2017 class.

As we continue our weeklong look at instant-impact recruits across the conference, South Carolina has several candidates for immediate contributions.

Among the possibilities are some of the Gamecocks' five junior college signees. ESPN JC 50 Javon Kinlaw, the No. 1 junior college defensive tackle in the 2017 recruiting class, is someone who could contribute right away.

"Obviously, when you sign a junior college player, you expect that player to come in and contribute," South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said during his national signing day news conference. "We needed to get more girth up front, and certainly Javon Kinlaw was a huge signee for us to be able to add that."

Kinlaw is a massive 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds and was a second-team All-American at Jones County Junior College last season. He has three years of eligibility left (with four years available to play them), but his size makes him a candidate to play soon.

Another defensive lineman, though not from the junior college ranks, to keep an eye on is M.J. Webb. The ESPN 300 defensive tackle enrolled early at South Carolina and participated in bowl practices, helping to give him a leg up with a chance to participate in spring football and an entire semester of development in the weight room before most other recruits arrive in the summer.

"We’ve been really pleased with his work ethic so far," Muschamp said.

Of course, the highest-rated prospects in a class typically have a chance to compete for early playing time and that should be the case for Jamyest Williams. The 5-foot-9 cornerback, who was ranked No. 39 in the ESPN 300, was the Gamecocks' highest-rated recruit since Jadeveon Clowney (No. 1 overall in 2011).

“Jamyest is a guy who is talented in a lot of ways," Muschamp said. "In my opinion, his greatest talent is his work ethic and competitive edge. Those are two things that really jump out at you when you see him compete and go after it. Height to me is not an issue at all -- the guy has close to a 40-inch vertical leap. He has great ball skills and judgment down the field to make plays. I coached a guy named Jerraud Powers at Auburn who was very similar. He's still playing in the National Football League -- I think he’s in his 10th or 11th year. [Williams] has a great competitive edge and work ethic ... We feel like he can contribute in a lot of ways for us,"

Kinlaw, Webb and Williams should each have a chance to compete for a spot on the Gamecocks' defense this fall and make early contributions.