South Carolina first SEC offer for under-the-radar Georgia lineman

South Carolina on Monday moved into a good position with offensive tackle Jordan Davis of Fairburn, Georgia by becoming the first SEC team to offer him.

The Gamecocks join Georgia Tech and Kansas as Davis’ Power 5 offers. He also has offers from Southern, Southeast Missouri, Murray State, Akron and Memphis.

Davis (6-6 290) is rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports, yet with his offer list he feels largely overlooked. That’s why he was so excited to hear from the Gamecocks on Monday. Offensive line coach Eric Wolford, Davis said, sees something in him, and he feels he can bring out his best.

“I started talking to the O-line coach over the last several weeks,” Davis said. “He said he likes finding guys under the radar. He said he can’t wait to start working with me. I like South Carolina. I was supposed to go to South Carolina last year but I couldn’t make it. I know a player that plays for South Carolina now, Jordan Rhodes. He went to my high school, the one I’m at now. I’ve researched South Carolina for their degrees and stuff.”

Davis could be making plans to join the Gamecocks. There is an unannounced commitment out there for USC. Davis was asked if that was him.

“They are up there, I’ll say that,” Davis said. “What can I say, what can I say? It is an option. It is definitely on my mind. It crossed my mind.”

Davis did confirm he talked with Gamecock head coach Will Muschamp on Monday.

“We were just talking about the offer,” Davis said. “He seemed good, like we maybe had a connection.”

The Gamecocks have eight commitments for the 2021 class, none on the offensive line. They have only one senior offensive linemen but have four in the junior class.

The next South Carolina commitment

USC coach Will Muschamp issued a pair of #SpursUp commitment alerts Monday via Twitter. One was confirmed to be defensive back Jayden Johnson of Cedartown, Georgia. The second alert has not been followed by a public commitment. Who might it be for? By our records, the Gamecocks are in the lead group for at least 20 prospects.

Not all of them have indicated a decision is coming soon, but others have indicated a public reveal is not far off, and thus one could be that second commitment. Those include:

• WR Derwin Burgess of Riverdale, Georgia, who plans an announcement any day from a final list of USC, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida State and Coastal Carolina;
• Newly offered OT Jordan Davis of Fairfield, GA who talked with Will Muschamp Monday and indicated Monday night something might be up with the Gamecocks;
• DE Shemar Pearl of Garden City Community College (Kansas), who has set Thursday for his announcement. He’s down to USC, Texas Tech and Missouri;
• DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawson who has an announcement date of June 26 but tweeted Monday night he had some “big news coming soon.” He’s had a top list of USC, Tennessee, Florida State, Penn State, North Carolina and Georgia. Plus, Alabama recently offered and could be a factor; and
• CB Khyree Jackson of East Mississippi Community College, who is down for a July 11 announcement with USC, Oregon, Florida, Oklahoma, Alabama and Kentucky in his final group.

Some other players who have the Gamecocks in their lead group and could be close on a decision are South Pointe WR O’Mega Blake; Milledgeville, Georgia CB Javon Bullard; Fairfield, Alabama WR Malachi Bennett; LB Jabril McNeill of Raleigh; RB Jaylin White of Dothan, Alabama; RB Ke’Travion Hargrove of Ruston, Louisiana; safety Myzel Williams of Deltona, Florida; DE George Wilson of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and LB Jordan Poole of Oakboro, North Carolina.

News and notes

▪ USC offered OT Anthony Belton (6-6 320) of Georgia Military JC and Tallahassee. He also has offers from TCU, UAB, FAU, FAMU, Missouri State and others.

▪ USC offered SAF Dontae Balfour (6-2 170) of Starke, Florida. Some of his other offers are Virginia, FIU, Akron, Tennessee State, Austin Peay and Georgia State.

▪ Florida State offered 2022 SAF Jeadyn Lukus of Mauldin.

▪ 2022 WR Jaleel Skinner of Greer was offered by Coastal Carolina.

▪ Florida offered 6-4 basketball prospect Robert McCray of AC Flora.

▪ 2022 6-foot-8 basketball prospect Julian Phillips of Blythewood Monday added offers from Xavier, Texas Tech, LSU, Florida, Arizona State, Missouri and Kansas. USC and Clemson also are among his offers.

▪ 2023 6-foot-7 basketball prospect Brandon Gardner of Gray Collegiate was offered by Wake Forest.

▪ 2024 INF/RHP George Wolkow (6-5 180) of Downers Grove, IL announced a commitment to USC.