USC picked up another weapon for the offensive side Wednesday with a commitment from RB Antario Brown (5-11 213) of Savannah. Brown picked the Gamecocks over Virginia Tech. He also had offers from West Virginia, NC State and Savannah State. He’s the second running back to commit to the Gamecocks for the 2021 class joining fellow Georgian Caleb McDowell of Leesburg.
USC was the first school to offer Brown with Mike Bobo and Dez Kitchings look to add more speed to the offense. Brown will bring 4.3 speed to the s running back room. That offer immediately put them in command of the recruiting scenario and he’s excited to go from an off the radar prospect to one headed to the SEC.
“This means a lot to me, especially a kid like me and where I’m from,” Brown said. “Kids like me don’t even dream of going to college, no matter the division. To be able to say I’m going to be going to a Power 5 school, or just going to college in general just means a lot to me. I’ve got a lot of friends that kind of fell victim to the streets or are in the grave. Just going to the next level of life, I feel like it’s shaping me into a man, so it means a lot.”
As for what sold him on USC, Brown said he really likes the staff and the opportunity that awaits him there.
“The coaches, the relationship I have with them,” Brown said. “And what they do on the offensive side of the ball, I really feel like I fit it a lot for some reason. I feel like the type of offense they run is my running style and I can fit right in. I know Coach Muschamp started a lot of freshmen throughout his time coaching, so I’m looking forward to coming and competing and being one of those star freshmen.”
Brown also feels he will be joining the Gamecocks at a good time in 2021, because he’s expecting big things for the program while he’s there.
“The program is on the rise,” Brown said. “A lot of guys from Georgia and a lot of guys from throughout the nation. South Carolina is a program on the rise. It’s going to take time but we’re going to develop and work together. Each day after practice work hard. I feel like we’ve got a good chance to compete for a national championship.”
Brown had set an official visit with the Gamecocks for September 19th but that’s up in the air due to the recruiting dead period, and the fact the season won’t start until the following week.
Brown played in seven games last season and rushed for 1008 yards. He also had 500 yards receiving. His best game came against Benedictine when he rushed for 280 yards on 22 carries, had 4 catches for 119 yards and scored 4 touchdowns.
The Gamecocks now have 16 new commitments for the 2021 class and seven of the high school commitments are from Georgia.
