Four-star defensive back Keenan Nelson (6-1 200) recently announced his ‘Top 10’ and USC made the cut for the corner out of Philadelphia. This weekend, the Gamecocks will get an opportunity to make a bigger impression as Nelson takes an official visit to USC.
With a list of potential schools that includes Penn State, Maryland, Pitt, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Tennessee, West Virginia, Rutgers, Temple and Virginia Tech, Nelson says USC made the cut the old fashion way.
“They’ve contacted me a lot, so they’re keeping me in touch and (I know) that they are interested,” the class of 2022 prospect says.
Associate head coach Pete Lembo and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray have been Nelson’s main recruiters and they are telling the Pennsylvania native that his versatility is a huge asset.
“I’m a big corner so I can play multiple positions and they can use me different ways,” according to the St. Joseph’s Prep School standout. “They like my film and they can’t wait to get me down there.”
He’s already taken an official visit to Penn State where his player-host was former Gamecock CB Johnny Dixon who transferred to the Nittany Lions after last season. He also visited hometown Temple last weekend. But at this point it appears his decision could very well come down to the Gamecocks and Penn State. Aside from USC this weekend, Nelson doesn’t have any other visits scheduled.
Nelson said that football isn’t the only thing that will be scrutinized during his trip to Columbia.
“I want to check out the atmosphere, how everything is around the school,” Nelson said. “How the kids are able to have fun and stuff like that.”
He says he could pull the trigger on his college decision this summer but, “if it doesn’t happen I can do it during the (football) season.”
Nelson is ranked the #16 cornerback nationally and the #3 prospect in Pennsylvania in the 247Sports Composite.
Others scheduled to join Nelson for official visits in Columbia this weekend include committed QB Braden Davis, DE Tomiwa Durojaiye, TE Oscar Delp, DT Nick James, CB Trequon Fagans, CB Chris Graves, DT Jamari Lyons, CB Nikai Martinez, SAF Anthony Rose and LB Mason Thomas.
