USC hits Atlanta hard in recruiting every cycle because players from the Georgia capital can make the short trip to the South Carolina capital and feel like like their not far from home. That’s the case with OL Jakiah Leftwich (6-6 302) who was in with his dad for a visit Saturday. The twist here is that the Gamecocks will have to battle the hometown team Georgia Tech and others as the recruiting process plays out. The Gamecocks did well enough this weekend to earn a spot along side the Yellow Jackets at the front of the line.

“I felt great about it. They showed me around the campus, and that was great. They are high on my list now,” Leftwich said. “They are kind of tied up right now with Georgia Tech. The graduation rate of the whole football team (stood out).”

As is the case when an offensive linemen comes to visit, Gamecock line coach Eric Wolford spent a great deal of time with Leftwich making his pitch as to why he would be the best man to make him a better player.

“He said he would develop me into an athlete and hopefully into the NFL, because he coached over 35 linemen who are in the NFL right now,” Leftwich said. “He said he likes that I’m physical and athletic.”

The Gamecocks are looking to bounce back from their 4-8 season in 2020 and Will Muschamp made some changes on the staff he feels will help them accomplish that. Leftwich obviously could feel the optimism around the program during his visit.

“I feel great about it,” he said. “They have a whole different offensive coordinator and weight room coach, and they are ready to turn things around.”

Along with USC and Georgia Tech, Leftwich holds offers from Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Kansas, Toledo and UNLV. He plans to visit Florida State this weekend and Tennessee the next weekend. He also plans to visit Georgia and to make a return trip to Georgia Tech.

Leftwich is looking at a summer decision and he will sign and graduate early.