It's decision day for two priority South Carolina targets
One day after South Carolina landed a big pledge from Norfolk (Va.) Maury class of 2025 four-star safety Kendall Daniels Jr. on Friday, the Gamecocks will learn their fate on two long-time priority targets on Saturday.
Hoover (Ala.) Thompson four-star EDGE Jared Smith and Virginia Beach (Va.) Salem four-star IOL Jaylen Gilchrist both have South Carolina as a finalist and will announce their respective decisions on Saturday.
Gilchrist’s decision is set for 4 p.m. ET while Smith will announce at 6 p.m. ET.
RELATED: Inside the commitment: Kendall Daniels Jr.
Smith, who is ranked the No. 4 EDGE prospect in the country by the On3 Industry Ranking, will choose among finalists South Carolina, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Southern Cal, and Ole Miss — but this is expected to come down to Carolina and Auburn.
Smith took an official to see the Gamecocks in June and has taken multiple unofficials to Auburn, including for Big Cat Weekend last week.
“South Carolina has always been high on my list and this visit solidified that,” he told On3 about his OV. “They always show me love when I’m in Columbia. This trip, I was able to bring my family so they could get a feel for the staff, school, and the city.
“My grandma isn’t worried as much now that she met the people that I would be around. My family now sees what I see, that Columbia is a great city and the Gamecocks are pretty cool.”
Sterling Lucas is Smith’s lead recruiter and the two have maintained a great relationship for some time.
“Coach Lucas is my guy,” Smith told On3. “He gives it to me straight. He let me know how he plans on using me and he let me know a few things I can start correcting now.”
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Smith is considered the No. 42 overall prospect in the class and the No. 2 prospect in Alabama.
Gilchrist’s recruitment officially comes down to South Carolina, Maryland, and Georgia but it’s turned into yet another recruiting battle between the Gamecocks and Terrapins.
South Carolina was considered a long-time favorite but this one has narrowed down the stretch with both programs jockeying for the final position.
Offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley is Gilchrist’s recruiter and has done a phenomenal job building a relationship and getting him on campus multiple times.
“There’s a lot of coaches that will get a highly recruited kid but when they get to the school they treat them like a piece of meat,” Gilchrist told On3’s Chad Simmons last summer. “At South Carolina they actually care about you and treat you like one of their own.”
“It makes me feel like a big priority not only to the coaches, but the entire fan base does.”
Gilchrist is the nation’s No. 110 overall prospect, No. 9 interior offensive lineman, and No. 4 recruit from Virginia in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
By the end of Saturday Carolina will know its fate with each.
