‘I’m about to commit’: Channing Tindall recruiting update

Channing Tindall’s recruiting is hitting the home stretch.

The Spring Valley linebacker said he still plans on making his decision this month as recruiting for the four-star prospect continues to stay busy.

“I’m about to commit pretty soon,” Tindall said Thursday as he received the inaugural Mr. Richland County Football Player of the Year award.

Even if Tindall makes his decision this month, he said doesn’t plan to enroll early at his school of choice. The early signing period is Dec. 20-22.

Tindall’s season ended last month following a third-round playoff loss to Fort Dorchester. Since then he has stayed busy with his recruiting and getting his injured shoulder healed up.

Tindall hurt his shoulder against West Ashley in the first round of the playoffs and missed the second round playoff game against Conway. He will miss next week’s Shrine Bowl but plans to be ready for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 6.

Tindall had his shoulder looked at during his official visit to Auburn last month for the Iron Bowl, which he called an amazing experience as he watched the Tigers knock off then-No. 1 Alabama.

“It is just like a bruise right not now. There is nothing really wrong with it. I’m just healing it up. There is nothing really wrong with it,” Tindall said of his shoulder.

Former Spring Valley standout Travis Williams, Auburn’s linebacker coach, is Tindall’s recruiter and also visited him during a church service last week.

Tindall went to dinner with South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp and linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler last week as the Gamecocks are trying to get him to take an official visit. He has been to USC on many occasions, including several games this season.

Georgia inside linebackers coach Glen Schumann stopped by the school Wednesday, and Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is expected by soon as the team gets ready for its playoff game against Oklahoma.

Tindall took an unofficial visit to UGA for the South Carolina game and plans to take an official visit sometime this month.

“Since football season has ended, it has been busy,” Tindall said. “But it is good getting one-on-one time with the coaches and hearing what they have to say.”

Tindall is up for South Carolina’s Mr. Football award, which will be awarded Saturday at halftime of the Touchstone Energy North-South game. He is trying to become the first defensive player since Jadeveon Clowney in 2010 to win the award.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 9:03 AM with the headline "‘I’m about to commit’: Channing Tindall recruiting update."