STRecruiting: South Carolina is making a strong effort to land Powdersville tight end Riggs Savage, who will visit this Saturday

One of the key recruits visiting South Carolina this Saturday is 2028 TE Riggs Savage (6-6, 240) of Powdersville. He has become one of the primary targets for Gamecock tight ends coach Shawn Elliott ever since Elliott and head coach Shane Beamer offered him in May.

“They’re recruiting me harder than anyone,” Savage said. “They like that I’m a big, physical kid. They stay in touch a lot. They do the group calls, and Coach Beamer calls me, and Coach Elliott calls me, and we’re always texting. We’ve got a really good relationship. They’re always texting me about how the games go. They’re recruiting me harder than anyone.”

Savage also visited the Gamecocks in May for a casual recruiting event that was more fun and games than recruiting. That allowed him to get to see another side of the Gamecock program, and perhaps some things he hadn’t thought about, considering his sports upbringing.”

“I’m actually a Clemson Tiger, but you know, when it comes to the recruiting process, that has zero influence at all,” Riggs said. “I just really like what they’ve got going on. I hope they can win a lot of games and keep the same coaching staff because it’s one that I’m really, really fired up about. And they show me a lot of interest and really love me. That’s great for me. It’s just going somewhere where I’m valuable.”

As mentioned by Savage, Clemson has always been on his mind as a fan. As a recruit, the Tigers were there early on, but not so much of late.

“I took two visits in the spring, and then I went to camp in June, he said. “I didn’t have the best camps. I didn’t perform as I know I can, and I have not heard a word from them since.”

Savage is coming off a visit to Cincinnati last weekend. He has also been to Virginia and Virginia Tech this season. His offer list also includes UCLA, Indiana, Penn State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Louisville, Wake Forest, UCF, USF, and others. At this point, he’s in no rush to make a decision.

“I think I’m probably looking at like May to July-ish of next year,” Savage said. “I’m definitely waiting till after this junior year wraps up, see who likes my junior season film, and just see where my junior season takes me. Then I’ll decide after seeing what that gets me. There’s not anyone that’s specifically number one. I’ve got places that I’m going to visit. My favorites are South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Georgia Tech.

Savage has a twin brother, linebacker Phillip Savage, who is also a 2028 recruit and will be in Columbia on Saturday. He also visited Cincinnati last weekend and has also been to Appalachian State and East Tennessee State. This weekend’s visit will be big for Phillip because the Gamecocks also have some interest in him.

“They do,” Riggs Savage said. “They show a lot of interest because he came up to the Cocky Palooza. He went to camp and had a really good camp, and they loved what they saw out of him. They really liked that performance. They’re just sort of waiting to see how his senior year plays out.”

Obviously the brothers have talked about going to the same school, but it’s not something that’s a high priority at this point.

“I don’t think we care either way,” Savage said. ” I think if it’s the best fit for both of us in the same spot, then that’s great, that’s awesome. But I don’t think we’re trying to, or trying not to. If it happens, it does. And that’s great. And if not, then that’s also great.”