USC was one of the first major programs to offer LB EJ Lightsey (6-2 210) of Fitzgerald, GA, and he plans to reward the Gamecocks for their interest with a visit. The type and the date are still to be determined as he communicates with head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Clayton White.
“I’m supposed to come to South Carolina for an unofficial, but I don’t have a date yet,” Lightsey said. “I think they want me to take an official during the season on a game weekend, but we haven’t figured out when that’s going to be.”
Lightsey said a recent conversation with White shed more light on the plans he would have for him in his 4-2-5 Gamecock defensive scheme.
He went over some things showing me how I would fit well in the system, how the defensive-side of the ball is real linebacker friendly,” said Lightsey. “It allows the linebackers to make plays. He said when I get a chance to play, I can come in and do big things there. Once I hear something like that, it makes me do my research more and make that team go higher on my board. Playing time is really an important thing in trying to get to the next level.”
Lightsey said he has official visits scheduled with Georgia Tech June 11th and Florida June 18th. LSU and Auburn are two others he’s looking at for official visits. The Gamecocks are fighting with those four programs and a couple of others for Lightsey’s attention.
“They were the first ones to offer. Ever since then, South Carolina has been one of my top schools,” he said. “I don’t have all the way down to the top three yet, but I’ve got a top seven…Florida, Auburn, Florida State, South Carolina, Georgia, LSU and Georgia Tech.”
Lightsey said he doesn’t plan to make a decision until his season. That could come early in the schedule or around the middle of the season.
Last season Lightsey recorded 111 total tackles with 13 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Other notes:
USC target WR CJ Smith of Orlando was offered by Alabama.
2024 QB Jadyn Davis of Catawba Ridge was offered by Tennessee.
Following teammates from Chaminade-Madonna HS in Hollywood FL, reported offers from USC on Twitter Monday: 2024 RB Davion Gause (5-10 197). Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami and Texas A&M are some other reported offers. He rushed for 800 yards and 6 touchdowns last season; 2024 ATH Zaquan Patterson (6-0 165). Florida State, Miami, Pitt and Maryland are some other reported offers; and 2025 DB Chris Ewald Jr. (6-0 161).
6-6 AJ Storr of Rockford, IL was offered by USC. He committed to Illinois in April and decommitted May 13th. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, DePaul, LSU, Creighton and Ole Miss are some other offers. He’s rated a 3-star by 247Sports.
