MJ Webb previews USC visit, talks timetable for decision

South Carolina’s recruiting received a dose of adrenaline Tuesday with a visit and commitment from touted safety Hamsah Nasirildeen. This Friday another major target, defensive end M.J. Webb, will make an unofficial visit with his coach to watch the Gamecocks’ 9 a.m. practice.

USC is one of four schools Webb (6-3, 270) is still considering. Unlike Nasirildeen, he has no intention to commit while on his visit.

“I’m going to wait until November,” Webb said. “I just want to see the guys get after it because I haven’t been over to see them practice. I want to see how the team works around him (Will Muschamp) being a new head coach and how they go and get after it.”

Webb, from Madison, Ga., said he talks to Muschamp and Lance Thompson almost daily. He also hears from head coaches and recruiters from his other top schools (Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky) on a regular basis. He said Tennessee and Kentucky are matching USC in their recruiting effort.

“I talk to those coaches if not every day, every other day,” he said. “My relationship with all those coaches is pretty tight, so I just can’t put one team on top of the next unless I’m for certain, for sure. As of right now I’m not so sure.”

Webb has an official visit planned for USC for the Georgia weekend. He has not set any others but he plans to with his other favorites.

Culpepper likes the Gamecocks

Defensive back Naytron Culpepper of Miami has narrowed down his short list to a top four that includes USC, Michigan State, Mississippi State and Tennessee.

“I’m pretty high on South Carolina right now. They’re at the top of my list,” Culpepper said. “It’s a great coaching staff, they produce some great DBs, they have great defense and they asked me to come in and play early. I just got to come in, work hard and earn my spot.”

Culpepper (6-0, 175) said he keeps in touch with Muschamp and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson from time to time and occasionally calls them to check in. He spoke to Muschamp last week and Robinson the week before.

As of now, Culpepper only has one visit scheduled and it’s to see Michigan State play against Ohio State at home. He plans to announce his decision after he takes all of his official visits, which he has not scheduled at this point.

This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 11:39 AM.