South Carolina in late on Minnesota commit, offers 2019 teammate

South Carolina offered 2018 wide receiver Rashod Bateman from Tifton, Ga. on Monday, as did Tennessee.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound pass catcher has been committed to Minnesota and his coach said Tuesday the offers won't change his mind.

"He is sticking with his commitment to Minnesota and signing this month," said Tift County coach Ashley Anders. "Coach (Bryan) McClendon has been by a couple of times, but he committed to Minnesota back in the summer and he is sticking to that. Schools came in too late after he had a good junior season."

Anders said Bateman was the state's second leading receiver this season with 85 catches for 1,539 yards and 21 touchdowns. He averaged 18 yards per catch.

USC also offered Bateman’s 2019 defensive end teammate Austin Lee Williams. That was his first offer. Minnesota followed later with one.

"Man, South Carolina really loves me and they say I'll be a perfect fit,” Williams said. “Being that they were my first offer they will be getting a lot of love."

Clemson and Auburn also showed interest in the 6-foot-3, 280-pound lineman, who also plays left tackle, in the spring.

Notes:

▪  South Carolina offered 2019 Hoover, Ala. wide receiver and Aubirn commit George Pickens. He's been committed since July. He also as offers from Mississippi State and Ole Miss among others.

▪  The Gamecocks offered Orlando 2019 defensive back Marcus Tillman Jr. He's been committed to Florida since June.

▪  USC offered Huntington Prep 2020 Jaemyn Brakefield. The 6-foot-9 forward also has offers from UCLA, Baylor Ole Miss, Houston and others.

This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 3:03 PM with the headline "South Carolina in late on Minnesota commit, offers 2019 teammate."