South Carolina secondary coach Torrian Gray has done well developing safeties during his time with the Gamecocks. His current to group of Nick Emmanwori, DQ Smith and Jalon Kilgore has emerged as one of the best groups in the SEC, and high school prospects have taken notice.
SAF Christopher Hatfield (6-3 205) of Lincolnton, GA was in for the USC junior day on January 20th where he met with Gray, head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White. The visit certainly left a strong impression on him.
“I loved the visit. I loved the area. I loved the culture. I loved the love that I got,” Hatfield said. “Everything was great with South Carolina. The coaches, Coach Gray, Coach Beamer and Coach White, the love they showed to all the guys, I loved it.”
Hatfield has seen what Gray has done with his safeties and sees a place where he could compete and eventually be developed for the next level.
“I feel great about,” Hatfield said. “The DBs that came from South Carolina, the NFL talent, I feel great and gives me a lot of confidence that if I do go there, I could definitely have a good shot of going to the NFL and play DB in the NFL.”
Hatfield had planned to visit Georgia Tech last weekend and West Virginia this coming weekend, but had to change his plans. He said he will get to those two, and back to USC, in the spring. The Gamecocks have certainly set the bar high for others to try to match.
“Everything is great,” he said. “The relationship is there. The communication is there. Everything is good with South Carolina right now. The plan is to take some spring visits and then pick the five schools that I want to have official visits with in the summer,” Hatfield said. “I’ll make a decision in November or December.
Hatfield added that USC will have staying power with him and figures to be one of the schools to get an official visit from him this summer.