Channing Tindall: Muschamp says be like Clowney
Spring Valley linebacker Channing Tindall is planning to announce his college decision in late September.
His meteoric rise from off the recruiting radar to a high profile performance at The Opening has been one of the big stories of the 2018 recruiting class in South Carolina. His offer list went from the mid-major variety to a variety of Power Five opportunities. As he heads into the final weeks of this grueling exercise, Tindall wants to talk less and less about his recruiting activities, but after Monday morning’s practice, he shared his latest thoughts.
Tindall said he’s not yet decided on his official visits but USC, which has been his leader from the time of its offer, remains in the position, and he remains in regular contact with Will Muschamp.
“I visited South Carolina two weeks ago and the whole message is to be the first, not the next,” Tindall said. “South Carolina has been on top for a little bit but came back down and basically he’s saying being a part of that team like when Jadeveon Clowney and them were on there. Actually win the championship and be the first there there instead of going to another school and just being the next person to do it. So, that’s their whole message, stay home and change the culture.”
And that argument seems to carry weight with Tindall who said the chance to accomplish uncommon results at USC is a major reason he has the Gamecocks at the top of his list.
“The interest in changing the culture is kind of big to me,” Tindall said. “I want to make an impact on the team, not just be there and just live throughout the college years. So, just changing the culture, that’s probably the biggest message for me.”
Tindall has made several visits to USC over the months and he’s built a good relationship with Muschamp and linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler, and he thinks highly of the pair.
“Coach Muschamp is a great coach as well as coach Hutzler who will be my position coach,” he said. “I really respect them and every time I go down there I just learn new information just like that and I just teach my teammates that’s. It really lets me know that if I were to go there I would be coached on the top level and have a chance to live out my dream.”
Along with USC on his short list, Tindall still has Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame and Auburn. He does not have any future visits planned at this point.
Note:
▪ Offensive lineman Damien Lewis of Northwest Mississippi Community College said he’s still in touch with USC offensive line coach Eric Wolford last hearing from him via text over the weekend.
Lewis has not set dates for official visits but said he plans to visit Kentucky and Ole Miss in September. He’s already taken an official visit to USC plans a return trip at some point.
He said the schools he’s hearing from are USC, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Memphis, Kentucky and others. Lewis said he plans to make his decision around the fourth week of his season.
This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 9:42 AM.