Will Putnam can’t wait to be a Gamecock

Hickory Ridge (N.C.) offensive lineman Will Putnam committed to South Carolina over the summer and has never wavered with his pledge despite being courted by several ACC schools. An official visit to Columbia this past weekend only confirmed what Putnam already knew- he can’t wait to be a Gamecock.

Putnam told The State he is done with the recruiting process and will not take any other visits. He is anxious to sign with USC on Signing Day.

“I’m just excited. I’m ready to get it over with,” he said. “The visit was a lot of fun. I enjoyed just spending time with everybody, whether it be the player hosts or the coaches or the dinners. That was my favorite part, just meeting and talking to people.”

The only official visitor Putnam knew entering this past weekend was fellow offensive lineman commit Pete Leota. But Putnam said he got to know several other potential teammates during the two days he was in Columbia and added that South Carolina’s 2016 recruiting class is confident it can help turn around the Gamecocks’ program.

“I think our class is going to come in and be kind of an adrenaline shot and help us get going in the right direction,” Putnam said. “I definitely think we’re going to turn it around. Everybody in our class wants to win, and if you don’t want to win we don’t want you in our class. We just want to win, and I think that’s definitely the common goal between everybody.”

Putnam committed to Steve Spurrier and South Carolina’s previous coaching staff, but he has been impressed by Will Muschamp and USC’s current assistant coaches.

“I think the program is definitely revitalized,” he said. “No shot at the old staff, but these guys don’t seem content. They’re not content with not being in a bowl game. They definitely want to win.”

Putnam played tackle in high school but said he will likely play guard or center at USC. He has been working hard at snapping the ball and learning the center position this offseason.

“My high school offensive line coach played center in college, and I’ve been working very closely with him,” Putnam said. “In-game experience, I have none, but I’ve got a lot of reps and spent a lot of time working to learn the position.”