South Carolina the favorite for Florida lineman after visit

South Carolina landed a commitment Saturday from offensive lineman Summie Carlay while he was on campus for an unofficial visit. Offensive lineman Viktor Beach of Fort Myers, Fla., didn’t commit while at USC, but he left Columbia with the Gamecocks his leader.

“I loved the campus and all the facilities and the coaches and staff,” Beach said. “I did not commit. My family and I decided to wait until the fall to commit anywhere, but South Carolina is definitely my leader.”

And what put the Gamecocks in front with him?

“Definitely just the hospitality,’ he said. “Just how well the coaches and staff treated my family and me. And they said they loved me. Muschamp said I checked out everywhere. They just loved the way I play and how fast I play, which goes a long with Muschamp’s up-tempo offense.”

More visits are ahead for Beach. He will go to UCF and FAU next weekend, Purdue the week after that and then to N.C. State and Marshall after that.

Notes

▪  Running back Chase Hayden of Collierville, Tenn., also visited USC for the first time Saturday and left with a positive impression.

“I really enjoyed my visit,” he said. “I had a great time talking to the coaches and they told me I have the opportunity to contribute early. I especially liked seeing where the players live. I liked the intensity of practice and how honest the coaches were.”

▪  Defensive ends Josiah Coatney of Holmes Community College (Miss.) Mykelle McDaniel of Loganville, Ga., wrapped up official visits Sunday.

▪  Defensive end Tyreek Johnson of Lakewood, who is on commitment watch for the Gamecocks, did not make it in Saturday because of the state strength championships. He plans to visit during his spring break the week after next.

▪  Defensive end Tre Lawson of North Augusta, who has a USC offer, was in for a visit to watch practice Friday. “It went well, I enjoyed it,” he said. “Any time I talk to Coach Muschamp is a good day.”

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 2:03 PM with the headline "South Carolina the favorite for Florida lineman after visit."