Top JUCO target with Gamecocks, Bulldogs in the lead closing in on decision

South Carolina was one of the first major football offers for Georgia Military College cornerback D.J. Daniel. and the Gamecocks have kept up the pursuit. Other big-time programs followed suit, most notably Georgia, and the Gamecocks and Bulldogs are leading the pack as Daniel heads into the final stage of his recruitment.

“I do still plan on committing this month. I still haven’t set a for sure date yet. All I know is it’s going to be this month,” Daniel said.

USC, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ole Miss make up the final five for Daniel, but it’s the Gamecocks and Bulldogs recruiting the hardest and standing out the most. He visited USC in early June for a camp and worked out in front of Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson.

“It’s more of a need than a want for them,” said Daniel of USC’s pitch to him. “I still talk to Muschamp every day. I talked to T-Rob a lot. I’m looking at the depth chart for them on the defensive side. And their fans and how they support football, I got a good vibe when I visited.”

The week after the Gamecocks visit, Daniel took an official visit to Georgia and landed the offer from the home state team his family in Griffin, Ga., has rooted for.

“Georgia is being home, and family likes Georgia,” Daniel said adding the Gamecocks and Bulldogs are even when it comes to the recruiting effort.

Daniel didn’t want to tip his hand regarding a favorite but he did say he’s looking at making a live announcement on an Atlanta radio station and is working with Jeff Sentell of DawgNation on setting a date for the announcement.

He will be an early grad and will sign in December.

Notes:

▪ The Gamecocks women’s basketball team is in the mix with 2020 national prospect Angel Reese of Baltimore according to the Baltimore Sun. Louisville and Maryland are also among his offers.

▪ USC landed a commitment from 2020 left-handed pitcher Magdiel Cotto (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) of Pittsburgh. He’s the Gamecocks third commitment for the ‘20 class this month.

This story was originally published July 16, 2018 at 4:31 PM.