Back in USC class: Recruit Cameron Upshaw explains why he left, then quickly returned

When he announced a decommitment from South Carolina Sunday afternoon, safety Cameron Upshaw of Perry, Florida later explained that he was doing so in order to commit “the right way.” By that, he meant committing publicly at one of his home football games with teammates and family around. He fully intended to return to USC’s class, he said

It turns out, Upshaw couldn’t wait that long to get back on board with the Gamecocks.

Upshaw confirmed Tuesday night that he’s back in the USC recruiting class for 2023 — and he actually rejoined just hours after tweeting that decommitment.

“It was me just realizing how early I could play,” Upshaw said. “I talked to coach [Torrian] Gray the same day. He was real understanding and told me to take my time with it. When I decided I could play early, he was like, ‘We’ll take you back.’ No coach is going to tell you you are going to start as soon as you get there. He was like, if I come in and do what I’m supposed to do, I’ve got a chance to get on the field early.”

Upshaw said he first talked to Gray on Sunday afternoon. After thinking things over, he called him back Sunday night to regain his place in the class. He also talked with head coach Shane Beamer.

“He was just making sure I was straight,” Upshaw said. “He was away from his phone when I decommitted. When I decided to commit back, he was just checking up on me to make sure I was good.”

Upshaw is now set with his decision and is excited to part of the 2023 class and what he thinks will be a successful future with the Gamecocks.

“Top 10 in two years,” he said, “if not this year.”

When he originally committed to the Gamecocks in mid-June, Upshaw also had on his short list Florida State, Maryland, Arkansas and Nebraska. Since official scholarship offers could be sent out Aug. 1, he’s also received offers from West Virginia and Mississippi State.

Upshaw’s return to the commitment list gives the Gamecocks 16 for their 2023 class with at least four more pending this month in offensive tackle Oluwatosin Babalade, safety Vicari Swain, defensive end Desmond Umeozulu and wide receiver Carmelo Taylor.