Tailback CJ Freeman affirms commitment to Gamecocks
Northern Guilford running back C.J. Freeman labeled himself as a soft commit to South Carolina after a coaching change at USC and a hard push from Wisconsin.
He is now solid with the Gamecocks.
Freeman announced his final decision at Uptown Charlie’s restaurant in Greensboro, N.C., Tuesday night in front of family, teammates and coaches. He came close to flipping his commitment to Wisconsin, but opted to stick with the Gamecocks after taking an official visit to Columbia this past weekend.
South Carolina coach Will Muschamp, running backs coach Bobby Bentley and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper convinced Freeman that South Carolina was the best place for him.
“If you would’ve asked me a few days ago I was headed to Wisconsin, but talking with the coaches, Coach Muschamp, Coach Bentley, the new offensive coordinator Coach Roper, I’m really excited for what they’re about to do,” Freeman told The State. “People are already saying the Boom Era is about to be here. Muschamp, he’s a crazy dude. He’s a good type of crazy. I think he’s the spark that South Carolina needs.”
Freeman will enroll at USC in January and should have an opportunity to play as a freshman. Roper explained to him that South Carolina’s offense will be very similar to the one Freeman played in at Northern Guilford. Freeman also had a previous relationship with Bentley, who recruited him while he was at Auburn.
“Him being my running backs coach was really comforting for me,” Freeman said. “I know his morals and what he stands for. He’s a great guy and he’s everything that I look for in a coach. Having him on staff was a big push. That’s one of the main reasons that I stayed, knowing that he was going to be coaching me every day.”
Freeman rushed for 2,091 yards and 23 touchdowns for Northern Guilford this season, averaging more than seven yards per carry and nearly 150 yards per game.
In four playoff games, he averaged 265 rushing yards and carried the ball 24 straight times on one drive in a game, capping the possession with a touchdown run.
“He’s a hard-nosed player and he can make you miss in the hole. He’s the type of player in the SEC that everybody is looking for,” Freeman’s coach, Johnny Roscoe, said. “He weighs about 195 pounds, so I know by next year he’ll weigh about 210. He has the speed to break it all the way. He’s easy to coach. He’ll do what it takes to be an outstanding football player.”
Freeman’s announcement capped off a day filled with good news for USC as earlier in the day Carolina picked up commitments from Conway wide receiver Bryan Edwards and defensive lineman Sadarius Hutcherson from Tennessee.
Freeman said South Carolina’s current commits are ready to turn things around and added that USC fans can expect more good news soon on the recruiting front.
“We know we have something special. We know that this class is really going to be a big key to success for South Carolina football. We’re ready to come in and work. We’re excited about the future, especially with Coach Muschamp coming and bringing intensity,” Freeman said. “I’m telling you, you better watch South Carolina. Within the next week or two weeks we’re going to get some flips and everything. It’s going to be crazy.”
Freeman also took official visits to Louisville and Wisconsin, and had offers from Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia and others.
In addition to his parents, brother and sister, Freeman’s great aunt, Christine Gardiner, made the trip from Liberia to watch his announcement. He said she is anxious to follow him throughout his career at South Carolina.
“It meant the world to me. I’ve only seen her five or six times in my life,” Freeman said. “For her showing up for this big occasion, it really meant the whole world to me for her to be here. I don’t get to see her very often.”
This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 7:51 PM with the headline "Tailback CJ Freeman affirms commitment to Gamecocks."