USC didn’t have to look far for its third commitment over the last two days. DL Alex Huntley (6-4 285) of Hammond Saturday afternoon announced a commitment to the Gamecocks, their second straight pledge from a defensive tackle. Huntley is viewed as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the country and chose USC over Georgia, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma and Stanford.

USC head coach Will Muschamp made Huntley and his teammate DE Jordan Burch recruiting priorities and Huntley made numerous visits to campus. Overtime he developed a strong bond with the coaches, including new defensive line coach John Scott, and that weighed heavily in his decision.

“I had a great relationship with the coaches and I think that’s the key,” Huntley said.  “Nothing pulled me away from South Carolina.  Everywhere I would go I would compare and contrast and everywhere I was going there was nothing to contest South Carolina.  There were no red flags on South Carolina.  Everything just pointed me there.  And it’s just my home.  I have so people that I love that are here and it makes it the perfect spot.”

Last season Huntley totaled 61 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. He looks forward to applying his trade as an inside defensive tackle in the Gamecocks’ scheme.

“I think it will be great,” Huntley said.  “Not only is the defense already going to be great next year but I think with everything that’s happening that everything is getting better.”

Huntley gives USC 11 commitments in the 2020 class and is the second for the defensive line.