Javon Kinlaw makes JUCO progress with plans to join USC for 2017

One semester down, two to go for defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw to make it to South Carolina.

Kinlaw (6-7, 300), from Goose Creek High, is now at Jones County Junior College in Mississippi. The longtime Gamecocks commitment, who has grown into a defensive tackle, said he had a good spring academically with an overall GPA of 2.7. On top of that, Kinlaw felt he also excelled on the field in spring practice.

“My performance, it was great,” he said. “I was getting a lot of compliments. I showed them a lot of stuff there weren’t use to seeing. They played me as a three technique. All I do is rush up the field. I’ve been working hard on hand placement and lateral quickness. I’ve improved my first step and I’ve gotten a lot stronger.”

Kinlaw had hoped to get to USC with this year’s class but didn’t have it together academically, so he got a jump-start on getting there by enrolling at Jones in January. By doing so, he can play one season of junior college ball and graduate in December, leaving him three seasons of eligibility. It’s the same expedited route Dante Sawyer took to get to USC.

The Gamecocks are monitoring his progress. According to Kinlaw, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson was through the school this spring and he hears regularly from defensive line coach Lance Thompson.

“He just wants me to focus on academics, just stay focused and the rest will take care of itself,” he said. “Coach Thompson has been telling me I’m still considered a commitment. I could have over 30 offers but I couldn’t really talk to anyone because South Carolina put me down here.”

Kinlaw has been at his home in Goose Creek for a few days but will return to Jones this week to return to the academic grind. He plans to return to the state in June or July and will visit USC then.

Kinlaw also said the Gamecocks are interested in several teammates, including DB Jonathan Abram, DB Javian Hamilton, LB Cannon Gibbs and DE Tramond Lofton. There is a camp this Sunday at Jones, and the Gamecocks are expected to be there to check out the prospects.