Spurs Up from south Georgia: Gamecocks pick up linebacker commitment

Linebacker Ernest Jones IV (6-2 205) of Waycross, Ga., announced a commitment to South Carolina on Friday night, picking the Gamecocks over his other finalists Florida and Duke.

Jones joins running back DeShaun Fenwick of Bradenton, Fla., as commitments for the Gamecocks this week and increases the 2018 class to six newcomers.

Jones made a couple of visits to USC in the spring, for a practice and for the game, and said those visits gave him the comfort zone he was seeking.

“It just felt like home and I loved the way the staff was talking to me,” Jones said. “To see South Carolina struggling lately, it just felt I just needed to be there to change things around. I see that they produce a lot of NFL talent and they will develop you as a player. They will get you ready for the next level. Not only that, they will teach you to become a man.”

Jones expects to play middle linebacker with the Gamecocks.

“I bring a lot of versatility and can play the outside linebacker position and can cover receivers and tight ends, but if you need me in the middle, I’m a thumper,” he said. “I love contact and am ready to hit anything.”

Jones also had offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Oregon, Kentucky and others.

This story was originally published May 5, 2017 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Spurs Up from south Georgia: Gamecocks pick up linebacker commitment."