Torrian Gray’s message, reputation resonate with DB recruit on USC official visit

South Carolina secondary coach Torrian Gray is a veteran with a sterling reputation for recruiting, developing and coaching. Those three characteristics rang loud and clear with safety recruit Jowell Combay of Marietta, Georgia during his official visit with the Gamecocks over the weekend.

“I took away from the visit hearing more of the developmental piece from T-Gray,” Combay said. “Hearing other guys talk about it. Hearing guys on the team talk about him. What stood out to me was Coach (Shane) Beamer and how he’s like an actual person. He’s a real down-to-earth guy. It was great, amazing man.”

But it’s Gray who hits home the hardest with Combay.

“Me and Coach Gray are cool. We’re real good,” Combay said. “Coach Gray has been recruiting me for a long time. He hits me up once or twice every week. I talk to him very consistently. They definitely made me feel love when I was there.”

Gray made sure to explain to Combay (6-2. 190) how he would use him in his secondary. He made it clear there is a spot for him in Columbia.

“He says more of the free and the star,” Combay said. “He said I could play rover too, but I probably won’t play it a lot just because we’ve got a lot of big safeties, too. He said he wants to see me play corner, too. He said he could see me going five for five — his words.”

And in Combay’s words, South Carolina is very much on his mind.

“Top five for sure. They’ve moved up. I’m dropping a top five on Tuesday,” Combay said. “I’m looking at where I can be developed the most. T-Gray is known for that. All over the place, he’s known for that. Definitely going somewhere that feels like home. No matter how far I am away from home, it feels like I never left. I definitely got that family vibe when I was there. That’s another plus.

“It will come down to those things, and where can I get on the field, but I’m never running from competition. For instance, South Carolina’s secondary room is deep. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to go there. Because the type of guy I am, I play best when I’m competing. I can get in there and compete. If that’s what they want to do, we can do it.”

Combay has also taken official visits to Oklahoma State and Missouri. He will go to Wisconsin this weekend and Tennessee the following weekend to wrap up his visits. He plans to announce his commitment July 9.

Last season, Combay had 66 tackles with three interceptions.