OL J’marion Jenkins-Gooch (6-8 330) of Gallatin, TN certainly made a big impression on the USC coaches during his visit Saturday. The 3-star prospect, who attends The King’s Academy in Seymour, TN, is ranked by 247Sports composite as the 31st player in the 2021 class in Tennessee, stood out above the rest on the basis of his size alone. But Gamecock offensive line coach Eric Wolford, who was the first coach to offer Gooch, likes more about him than just his size.

“I had a great conversation with all the coaches, coach (Will) Muschamp and coach Wolford,” Gooch said. “He (Wolford) said he likes my athleticism. He just said he could develop me.”

Jenkins-Gooch was impressed with what he saw at USC calling the facilities the best he’s seen, and he’s also been to Notre Dame, Miami, Auburn and FAU. But he also was impressed by more than the brick, mortar and technology.

“How the staff treats the athletes was pretty nice,” he said. “They treat them like family. Everything was nice.”

Jenkins-Gooch also has offers from Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, Indiana, Tulane, West Virginia, Virginia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Miami and Tennessee. But the Gamecocks were the first to step up and that’s something he’ll remember.

“To be honest, when I first saw it, it was a real big deal for me because I’ll be the first one in my family to go to college,” Gooch said. “I haven’t been to a lot of schools. I don’t know right now (about favorites). I just have a lot of thinking to do right now.”

Jenkins-Gooch said he doesn’t have any other visits planned at this point but he will take an official visit to USC in June. He wants to make his decision by the end of July and he will sign in December. He’s not sure yet if he’ll graduate early.