Wide receiver Cavin Ridley commits to South Carolina

Clemson will face Alabama in the College Football Playoff title game Jan. 11. South Carolina got a victory Saturday over the Crimson Tide in the recruiting game.

Wide receiver Cavin “Riley” Ridley of Deerfield Beach, Fla., brother of Alabama freshman receiver Calvin Ridley, surprised many by announcing a commitment to the Gamecocks over the Crimson Tide following the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando.

Ridley (6-2, 200) originally was recruited at USC by the Steve Spurrier staff and had interest in the Gamecocks. Will Muschamp recruited Ridley while at Auburn and picked up on that recruiting soon after taking over at USC. The new Gamecocks staff impressed upon Ridley their need for him in Columbia. He took an official visit to USC in December, and that trip put the Gamecocks in position to make a move with him.

In a phone interview after the game, Ridley said he informed Muschamp and assistant Travaris Robinson of his commitment on Friday but did not say when he would announce it. He was approached by reporters as he was leaving the field Saturday and made his plans public.

“It’s just the new environment they have going on and all the new coaches they are bringing in,” Ridley said. “When they were recruiting me for Auburn, they showed me that they know how to recruit players down South. Now I just have to get up there and compete.”

He admitted it was tough to say no to Alabama, especially with his brother there.

“Very hard,” Ridley said. “I’ve got the chance to play with my brother, but I’ve got to do what’s best for me. I want to be my own man.”

Ridley this season had 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

He plans to enroll in school at mid-term. Mid-year transfers at USC can start to do that on Tuesday, but Ridley said he won’t be in Columbia that soon.

“I’ve got to take a week or two and think about some things because it’s a big step, it’s a big step, so I’ve just got to think about some things,” Ridley said. “I’ve talked to (my brother) and he’s saying it’s something I’ve got to do for myself. I made my decision and I feel good about what I’ve done.”

Ridley’s commitment gives the Gamecocks 19 for the 2016 class.

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Wide receiver Cavin Ridley commits to South Carolina."