Gamecocks trending for Stephen Davis Jr.

Recruiting hasn’t been the top priority in recent months for Dutch Fork athlete Stephen Davis Jr. because of the season-ending right knee injury he suffered in week two.

Davis had surgery a few weeks after the injury and has been going through rehab. He’s at the point where he can put away his crutches and walk with a brace on the knee.

Davis also will able to get back into the recruiting game.

“I’ve been thinking this whole time and I’m just taking that slow,” Davis said. “I’m trying to get to some games eventually. Just trying to recover from my surgery.”

Davis said he’s been talking to South Carolina, Auburn and a little bit with Florida State. He might go to USC this weekend for the Florida game. If not, he plans to be at the USC-Clemson game.

He hasn’t scheduled any official visits.

Davis said he’s been talking with Everette Sands and Grady Brown from USC, and they’re showing strong interest.

“I hope they keep their coaching staff, but if they don’t I’m still going to look into South Carolina big. I’m feeling them a lot right now,” he said. “It’s home. It’s not far away from where I live. Now that I’ve had my injury, they stuck with me throughout everything since the eighth grade and they are still here and I just feel like they want me bad. I’m still in the hunt, I’m still keeping my options open, but so far I like them.”

Davis was once committed to Auburn. He’s trying to take things slowly this time and keep his options open. He doesn’t plan to make his decision until the last week in January, prior to signing day. He’s being recruited at defensive back, receiver and running back.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 12:59 PM.