USC commit Javon Kinlaw headed right away to junior college

There’s a change of plans for South Carolina defensive end commitment Javon Kinlaw of Goose Creek.

Instead of coming to USC this weekend for his official visit, Kinlaw is headed to Jones County Junior College in Mississippi for an early enrollment.

Kinlaw said the plan for him is to play one season at Jones and graduate in the summer of 2017. That will allow him three years with the Gamecocks starting in 2017.

“I feel good about it,” Kinlaw said. “I feel like I can get it done.”

Kinlaw had acknowledged during his recruiting process that junior college was a likelihood for him, and USC took his commitment on Dec. 23 knowing he could be a junior college candidate.

USC already has Chapin tight end Will Register committed for the 2017 class. Offensive lineman Dennis Daley of Georgia Military College committed to South Carolina during his senior year at Ridge View High and has said he remains firm to join the Gamecocks in 2017.

This story was originally published January 17, 2016 at 12:58 PM.