His teammate is committed to South Carolina, and he’s got USC as a clear leader

South Carolina already has a commitment for the 2019 class out of Northwestern High School in Miami in offensive lineman Mark Fox. The Gamecocks are not far off from another as defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) has them as his clear leader and is thinking about pledging when he visits March 3.

"It's like an 80 percent chance of me committing.” Kancey said. “That's my top school. That's my dream school. I've always wanted to go there. They are showing the most love. The relationship is great with South Carolina and they have a better chance to get me than anyone else"

Kancey camped at USC going into his 10th grade. That sparked his interest and Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson picked up his recruiting from there.

"I loved it," he said. "I saw a nice campus. Everything is nice up there. I like the stadium, too. It's a nice environment. They have a high graduation rate and they produce a lot of players for the NFL. Coach Robinson said I would be able to play the three technique. They run the same defense we run. He likes my aggressiveness, quickness and my motor."

Muschamp also is heavily involved in the recruiting process with Kancey and has made his impression on him.

"Coach Muschamp is a great coach. There's nothing bad about him. I've asked around about him and I've heard nothing but good things about him."

Kancey said Louisville is the other school high up on his list. Miami has also been interested but has not offered.

Along with Fox and Kancey at Northwestern, the Gamecocks are also recruiting linebacker Samuel Brooks, and he's down to USC and Miami.

"Me and Samuel talk about it every day in school, what choice we're going to make," Kancey said. "He's 50-50 and I'm pretty sure after the visit to South Carolina he'll make up his mind."

Kancey, Fox and Samuel plans to visit USC on March 3. Kancey said he plans to sign and graduate early.

This story was originally published February 21, 2018 at 12:33 PM with the headline "His teammate is committed to South Carolina, and he’s got USC as a clear leader."