In-state recruiting targets recap latest South Carolina visit

Thursday’s practice at South Carolina attracted Gamecock targets Austin Connor of Dutch Fork and Tyreek Johnson of Lakewood for another look at things.

Connor, a wide receiver, is still a ways off from making a decision. Johnson, a defensive end, is set to commit to the Gamecocks Saturday when he and his parents return for a 9 a.m. visit with Will Muschamp.

“Is was great,” Johnson said of Thursday’s visit. “I got to talk to the coaches and met some players. The practice was very fast paced and physical the whole time, a great new experience I should say.”

Johnson also got the chance to talk with Muschamp.

“He was like, it’s great to have me come down today and that he’s very excited about me. And asked if I’m still coming Saturday,” he said.

Which, of course, he is.

Connor has USC in his top five along with Virginia Tech, Duke, Tennessee and Georgia and said that’s not in any order. He said this visit to USC was another good experience for him.

“It was actually pretty nice,” Connor said. “I went to practice, of course, and I sat in on a few of the team meetings. And I even got see one of the dorms and how they look and how they live today. It (practice) was pretty fast and quick tempo. I like how they do things out there.”

USC likes Connor as a receiver though he can also play in the secondary. He spent time with receivers coach Bryan McClendon and watched him and his players closely on the practice field.

“He wants aggressive receivers and stuff like that,” Connor said, “people that make explosive plays and things.”

Connor said he also talked with Muschamp before and after practice.

“He still saying he wants to recruit me hard at receiver and if I have to play anything else he’ll certainly put me there,” he said. “I actually would have a good chance of starting if I go there as a freshman. I think that’s kind of big.”

Connor will visit Tennessee Saturday and he might go to Georgia April 9. He said he does not have a time frame for making a decision.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 12:25 AM with the headline "In-state recruiting targets recap latest South Carolina visit."