The end is here, as far as the 2020 recruiting season is concerned.  National Signing Day (#2) is set for Wednesday. The signing period actually runs until April 1^st but practically all unsigned prospects for the 2020 class will get it down Wednesday.  And that will include one of the nation’s elite, 5-star DE Jordan Burch of Hammond School. 

Burch, you might recall, actually committed to USC on National Signing Day (#1) December 18^th but he did not sign his LOI.  That was cool with everyone because he later explained he wanted to wait and sign with his teammates this Wednesday. What wasn’t cool with Gamecock fans was his decision to take an unofficial visit to LSU January 25^th. The Tigers, he had said, were #2 on his list.  Soon after that visit, at least one national recruiting analyst projected a flip by Burch to LSU.  But, he still had an official visit left with USC and he took that this past weekend. 

The Gamecock coaching staff actually kick-started the weekend but turning out in mass for Burch’s basketball game Friday night at Heathwood Hall.  And they had Burch and his mother to themselves since LSU coaches had already used their once-a-week contact last Monday while Burch was still in Baton Rouge.

Burch and his mother went from the basketball game to USC to begin their weekend.  Burch attended the USC basketball game Saturday against Missouri, sitting behind the Gamecock bench, and went through the typical official weekend routine of meeting with coaches, touring facilities and the campus and hanging out with the players.

Burch and his teammates plan to sign at the school Wednesday at 1:00 PM, and that will include DT Alex Huntley who has been committed to the Gamecocks since June.    Gamecock website insiders, based on their writing over the weekend, now seem confident Burch will stick with the Gamecocks.

Another priority target in for an official visit at USC over the weekend was WR Ger-Cari Caldwell of Northwestern. He has narrowed his decision to the Gamecocks and Tennessee after also considering Baylor, Wake Forest and East Carolina, where he was once committed.  He will have an announcement ceremony Wednesday at 10:00 AM at his school. The Gamecocks have been out-front for Caldwell since offering in early December. 

The Gamecocks Wednesday also are expected to add RB ZaQuandre White (6-2 205) of Iowa Western JC.  The former Florida State linebacker from Ft. Meyers, FL committed to the Gamecocks in December, but Will Muschamp never followed up with his “Spurs Up” tweet signifying a taken commitment.  However, GamecockCentral reported last week the Gamecocks do plan to sign White on Wednesday.

Two other commitments, P Kai Kroeger and PK Mitch Jeter, don’t plan to sign Wednesday at this point due to class numbers, but they plan to enroll in June, go on scholarship in August and count on the 2021 class. 

Clemson will have a quiet Wednesday.  The Tigers signed all of their 2020 class in December.

QB Hunter Helms of Gray Collegiate took an official visit to a Power-5 program over the weekend according to his father.  He did not disclose the name of the school, but Helms will weigh that trip against a PWO offer from Clemson.   He’s also had an offer from USF. He announces Wednesday at 11:30 AM.