USC’s defensive staff is making a hard push for DT Nick Barrett (6-3 325) of Goldsboro, NC. The Gamecocks were one of his early offers and they have followed up with a lot of contact. Barrett visited for a game last season and was back for a junior day in January. The attention he’s getting from the Gamecocks has him thinking hard about a future in Columbia.
“I hear from at least two or three of the coaches every day,” Barrett said. “Coach (Will) Muschamp, Coach (Tracy) Rocker and Coach (Kyle) Krantz. They give me reasons why I should be a Gamecock, and share stuff about their school. They send videos telling what the experience would be like walking out the stadium, and how it’s going to go in the class room and all that.”
Barrett has seen enough of USC and heard enough from the coaches where he knows the Gamecocks will have a place in his top list when he forms one.
“They are one of my top schools in my recruiting,” Barrett said. “I like it. Out of all the coaches I’m talking to now, they are one of the coaches that stick out. I see myself playing anywhere from the zero to the three technique. The coaches say I could be a big part of their defense. They like that I can move and I can use my hands. He (Muschamp) said I’m a big, powerful strong guy.”
Barrett said along with USC, Virginia, Liberty, Penn State, Ole Miss and East Carolina are standing out to him. He also has offers from Duke, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina. He also visited Virginia before the recruiting stoppage. He plans to take more visits once things reopen and then make his decision.
Last season Barrett was in on 70 tackles with 15 sacks. He’s rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.
