Three-star LB Bryce Steele (6-2 200) of Raleigh Saturday afternoon announced a commitment to USC over North Carolina and Texas. Steele is ranked as the #15 inside linebacker in the country in the 247Sports composite and the 9th best prospect in Virginia where he attends school.
“They stuck with me from day to day,” Steele said in making his announcement on Rivals.com. “Despite me not playing this past season (due to surgery to remove a benign mass from his chest), that didn’t affect how they recruited me. I felt as though they made me a priority. The game atmosphere there is crazy. And the relationship I have with the coaches there is great. So, why not?”
Steele and the Gamecocks have had a long running relationship dating back to summer camp two years ago. Will Muschamp later offered and USC was always one of the schools at the top of his list from there he told SportsTalkSC.com.
“I first camped there two summers ago before they offered, and after camp, coach Muschamp personally came up to me and told me that they will be recruiting me until the day I sign with a school and that hopefully it’d be them,” Steele said. “I camped again this past summer and I also went to watch them play Alabama. One thing I love about the Gamecocks is the relationship I have with the coaching staff. We talk on a regular basis. It’s a good academic school, big time SEC football, and they seem to play their players early.”
Steele visited USC a half-dozen times over the process, most recently in March when he got the chance to watch some practice. The Gamecocks are looking to replenish their linebackers and that was duly noted by Steele.
“They are pretty thin at the linebacker position, so I’ll be able to come in and early playing time right away if I come in and do everything I’m supposed to do,” Steele said. “I could see the field pretty early. That’s a big factor for me, an opportunity to possibly play early and develop as a player. They expressed they not only want me but they need me to be a part of the team, not only as a player on the field but as a leader on the field and off the field.”
As as sophomore, Steele had 43 tackles with 6 sacks. He plans to sign in December but will not be an early graduate.
Steele gives the Gamecocks 5 new commitments for the 2021 class, and with carryovers from last recruiting season, there are now eight counting in the class.
Watch Steele’s announcement from Rivals.com.
Welcome aboard and stay safe and healthy during these difficult times!