Charlotte teammates, already familiar with USC, break down latest visit

Charlotte offensive line teammates Eric Douglas and T.J. Moore were among the Class of 2017 South Carolina targets to attend last Saturday’s junior day.

Moore (6-6, 275) might be highest up on the Gamecocks’ commitment scale. Moore, who plays with Douglas at Mallard Creek High, said USC is tops on his list and it’s not really close right now.

“I just like South Carolina a lot, and it’s close to home,” Moore said. “I like the community and all the people around it. They are a lot further (ahead of the field). It’s close to home, Coach Elliott and I have a great relationship and I think in a few years, by the time I get into South Carolina, they are going to have everything back together how it was before. I think it’s going to be a good place for me.”

Moore said he’s considering a return trip to USC this Saturday for the Florida basketball game unless he takes a football visit to Miami. He said North Carolina, N.C. State, Kentucky and Florida State are other schools of interest to him right now. He’s also hearing some from Clemson. He’s planning to visit Penn State and Kentucky as well.

During his junior visit Moore got the chance to talk in detail with Will Muschamp and Elliott and got an inside look at how they see him fitting in with the program.

“They said I’m a hard worker and just a different kind of athlete,” Moore said. “He said I would really fit in on the offensive line, probably right guard. Coach Muschamp said he wanted me on the defensive side of the line but Coach Elliott was like, no, I’m going to keep him on O-line.”

Moore is not ready to make an immediate commitment, saying he wants to wait until the start of his senior year, maybe into 2017.

Douglas has made a number of stops in Columbia over the past year. Last weekend was his first chance to meet with Muschamp and get an idea about the direction of the program.

“The whole experience was great,” Douglas said. “Talking with Coach Muschamp and seeing the direction he’s taking the team, that’s something that’s obviously going to affect my decision. And him just saying how much wanted me kind of resonated with me. They (Muschamp and Shawn Elliott) said that I’m a great player and they wanted me to start up this 2017 class.”

Douglas is going to North Carolina on Wednesday for the Duke basketball game and plans to visit Florida this weekend. He then plans to make his decision within a month or two, with USC, Clemson, Florida and NC State on his list, and North Carolina will join the list if it offers. He said he does not have a favorite at this point.

Notes

▪  USC Monday night offered RB Kyshaun Bryan of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

▪  USC offered 2018 DL Robert Cooper of Snellville, Ga.. He was at Saturday’s junior day.

▪  USC Monday offered ATH Jaiden Cole of Monroe, La.

▪  USC target DB Jamyest Williams was offered by Nebraska Monday.

▪  Class of 2016 DE Mykelle McDaniel of Loganville, Ga., did not visit USC Saturday because his test score has not come in, according to his assistant coach Kenyatta Watson. Watson said USC is where McDaniel wants to go. The coach talked with USC recruiter Lance Thompson Monday and said it sounds like USC is still interested in McDaniel.