The Alabama game Saturday will give USC a chance to show the nation how well it matches up with one of the nation’s powerhouses. More importantly, it will give the Gamecocks a chance to impress a large number of recruits who will be in the stands. One of those will be WR Rico Powers of Hapeville, GA. Powers has visited before and camped at USC in June. There’s a define connection between the two and Powers hopes to build on that this weekend based on what he’s been hearing from the Gamecocks.

“Telling me that they want me pretty much, how much they want me to be a part of the program,” Powers said.  “I’m feeling good about them.  I love the way they are showing how much they want me.  They are keeping in touch with me.”

Powers said a commitment isn’t likely this weekend but he’s thinking about making a decision within about a month. He has not visited anywhere else at this point but he plans to see Arkansas and Nebraska, and he expects to take an official visit with USC in December. He’s also hearing a lot from Florida. Oregon, NC State, Tennessee and Virginia are some of his other offers.

Powers said he will be joined on Saturday’s visit by his 2021 teammate LB Zavier Carter who also has a Gamecock offer. A coach will drive the two to Columbia.