USC came up short trying to pull linebacker Jordan Poole out of North Carolina as he committed to NC State last week. However, the Gamecocks are still in the fight for another top linebacker in that state, Jabril McNeill (6-4 225) of Raleigh. McNeill has had the Gamecocks on his short list of 11, which he plans to revise soon. New USC linebackers coach Rod Wilson is the big reasons the Gamecocks are still in play.
“I talk to Coach Wilson about every day,” McNeill said. “Just same old, same old. Trying to stay in contact. We text every day and here and there we’re on the phone. He talks about how he can use me in like all the linebacker spots. I like Coach Wilson, he’s really good people, I really like Coach Wilson and how he’s recruiting me. I wouldn’t mind playing for him in the future.”
McNeill visited USC in January for a junior day, so he got a good look inside the program then. And he said Wilson’s recruiting work on him also has put the Gamecocks in solid position.
“I like them a lot,” McNeill said. “I don’t know when I’m going to commit, but I like South Carolina a lot. They were one of the first schools to hit me up. They were my third offer.”
Along with USC, McNeill said he’s also hearing regularly from others on his current short list, in particular NC State, Oregon, Oklahoma and Auburn. NC State has a trump card in that his brother, Alim McNeill, is a starting defensive tackle there. That, and the fact he lives 20 minutes from campus, gives him strong reason to consider State.
“If he (his brother) has the season we all pray he has, he might not be at State,” McNeill said. “But, State is right down the street, and my brother has put a great name for the McNeills at State. I’m considering NC State a lot.”
Last season McNeill recorded 145 tackles with 5 sacks and 21 quarterback pressures. In the 247Sports Composite, McNeill is rated a three-star prospect and is ranked the #31 outside linebacker nationally.
