Elite safety Jontae Gilbert locks in official visit to South Carolina

South Carolina has been recruiting Jontae Gilbert hard for close to two years. The Gamecocks offered early, the staff has established relationships, and even with the four-star safety out of Atlanta Douglas was committed to Ohio State, the SEC program never backed off.

Their effort has paid off.

The No. 3 safety in the country has visited Columbia four times and he has locked in an official visit with South Carolina for June 7.

“The relationship with the whole staff is what keeps me going back to South Carolina. They love me and I love them,” Gilbert told On3.

Torrian Gray is Gilbert’s lead recruiter. Shane Beamer is heavily involved as well. Gilbert connects with them both.

“Me and Coach Gray can relate to football and outside of football. I feel like he is a great defensive backs coach and can develop me to get to the next level.

“And I love Coach Beamer. I feel like he is an honest coach that will keep it real with me. He tells me what he likes about me and things I need to work on. Coach Beamer stays on me a lot and critiques my game, which I would love to have in a head coach.”

Multiple schools remain in the mix for Gilbert. He is talking with schools Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oregon and Texas among other about official visits this summer. He is eyeing a decision in August, around a week before his senior season kicks off and Gamecocks are expected to be a contender at the end.

“South Carolina is a top seven school right now and they are really high on that list,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert is the No. 31 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.