Latest News: Two recruits on commitment watch after taking official visits to USC for Texas A&M game

Defensive tackle Kelten Mickell from Jones College in Mississippi completed his first official visit to South Carolina last weekend and is nearing a final decision on his college choice after previously committing to Liberty on June 24. He conveyed this to USC head coach Shane Beamer and defensive line coach Travian Robertson. “I told them to give me a week,” Mickell noted. “I want to take some time to think it over before deciding. Right now, I’m still considering my options, but honestly, South Carolina felt like home to me. It will probably be next week when I decide. They’re definitely my top choice. It’s mainly between them and Georgia, but if I’m honest, I prefer South Carolina over Georgia. While Georgia still checks in occasionally, it’s not as frequent as it was early on.”

Beamer and Robertson chose a great time for Mickell’s visit, as the Gamecocks had an impressive victory over 10th-ranked Texas A&M, with a lively crowd that celebrated by storming the field. “I loved it. They really make you feel welcome. You can sense that they’re building something special,” Mickell remarked. “The coaches engaged with us before and after the game. Many coaches have jam-packed schedules and don’t have time for that, but Coach Beamer made a point to talk to us before the game, which made me feel valued.”

Mickell must have been impressed by the Gamecock defense, which outperformed the larger Aggies offensive line. Robertson emphasized the need for Mickell to come in and maintain that level of play. “Coach Robertson laid it out for me,” Mickell said. “He mentioned he’s losing four players and needs someone to step in and fill that role. But, of course, I know I’ll need to earn my spot. They employ an aggressive defense, which is a great recruiting advantage for the NFL—coming from the SEC while being able to rack up sacks and make significant plays.”

Mickell has also made official visits to Liberty, UTSA, and Utah State and does not plan to take any additional visits. In eight games this season, he has recorded 32 tackles, with four for a loss and one sack.

JOSH SMITH RECRUITING UPDATE
Dutch Fork linebacker/edge rusher Josh Smith visited South Carolina officially over the weekend and is now ready to finalize his recruitment. “Yeah, I know where I’ll be going,” Smith stated, having narrowed it down to USC, N.C. State, and Ole Miss. He intends to announce his decision on Tuesday after morning practice, which is scheduled due to a school closure for Election Day.

USC linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Clayton White has built a strong relationship with Smith since offering him a few weeks ago. Smith attended three other games at USC this season, but the atmosphere during the Texas A&M game left a lasting impression. “The game was incredible, and the environment was extraordinary,” he said. “The fans are incredibly passionate about this program. I got to spend quality time with Coach White, learning more about his perspective on me as a player and how I might fit into the defense. I also got to hang out with some players, so overall, it was a fantastic weekend.”

Smith observed the Gamecock linebackers in action against the Aggies and was thoroughly impressed. “It was amazing. Many of the linebackers made crucial plays at key moments during the game, which was exciting to see,” he shared.

He also noted Shane Beamer’s focus on recruiting the best in-state talent, with nine of the 20 commitments for the 2025 class hailing from South Carolina. “He’s aiming to build the program with local players, selecting guys from winning programs in the state to foster that winning mentality,” Smith explained.

Having emerged as one of South Carolina’s top prospects, Smith was selected for the Shrine Bowl team. He initially committed to Coastal Carolina last summer but decommitted as he began receiving interest from Power Five programs.