In-state safety recruit releases Top 5, with Gamecocks holding steady as favorite

West Florence safety Kelvin Hunter on Saturday revealed his top five schools via social media. Making the short list were South Carolina, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Michigan and Appalachian State.

Hunter (6-1, 185) said the coaches from those schools made him feel most at home. The Class of 2024 recruit later revealed which of those five schools is his current overall favorite.

“I’d have to say South Carolina has a little bit of an edge on everybody right now,” Hunter said. “Honestly, they were the first to ever recruit me and throw me an offer. They were the first people to always make me feel like they care about me and always staying in touch no matter what.”

Hunter said he’s in constant contact with Gamecocks’ head coach Shane Beamer, defensive coordinator Clayton White and secondary coach Torrian Gray and others with a strong interest in his decision.

“I’ve been talking to a bunch of their recruits lately and they are trying to get me to come on board with them,” Hunter said. “(The coaches) have been talking to me about planning my official visit and wanting me to come there and camp during the summer. They want me to get back there so they can see me again and so I can watch spring practice.”

Hunter, right now, doesn’t have plans for a spring visit to USC, but he has set his official visit for the weekend of June 23. He did visit USC for their Jan. 21 junior day. He also has an idea on how the Gamecocks plan to use him.

“They said I’d be playing nickel,” Hunter said. “That’s like a safety but much closer to the box. They are saying I’d be a great fit.”

Hunter will visit Virginia Tech March 26, and that’s the only spring visit he has set right now. He also plans to get to Michigan, Auburn and Appalachian State in the spring.

Hunter, who had 103 tackles, six pass deflections, one interception and six blocked kicks last year, will try to make his final decision prior to this season. If he can’t, he’ll wait until the season is over.

Recruiting notes

▪ USC offensive guard target and Houston transfer Cam’Ron Johnson (6-4, 305) continues to pick up offers since entering the transfer portal on Wednesday. His newest offers are Missouri and Arizona State. Along with the Gamecocks, West Virginia, Maryland and Cal have also offered. Johnson was a first-team all-conference performer for the Cougars last season and allowed one sack in 586 pass block snaps.

Johnson is a native of Houston. He signed and redshirted in 2019 and played one snap in 2020. In 2021, Johnson played 669 snaps as a backup left guard and allowed three sacks in 345 opportunities. This past season he started all 13 games and played 905 snaps.

▪ USC offered speedy cornerback Elijah Hall (5-10, 175) of Tuskegee, Alabama. He lists a 40 time of 4.37 seconds. Last season he had eight interceptions with one returned for a touchdown. He also plays receiver and running back. Hall had over 3,600 all-purpose yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022. He also has offers from Arkansas, Army, Southern Miss, Georgia State, Arkansas State, UAB and Tuskegee. He attended January junior days at Alabama and Florida.

▪ Per Stockrisers, USC coach Lamont Paris met with Wofford basketball transfer BJ Mack on Sunday. Florida coach Todd Golden also had an in home visit and LSU coach Matt McMahon is due in on Monday. The Charlotte native earned All-Southern Conference honors this season after averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds per game.