Gamecocks Land Peach State Defensive Back

According to Phil Kornblut of the South Carolina Radio News Network defensive back Ali Gorves committed to South Carolina coaches late Tuesday night. The Stone Mountain, GA native committed to USC over offers from Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Missouri, Pitt, Florida, Illinois, Syracuse, UConn, Ohio and Wake Forest. Groves is 5'11 and 177 pounds and projects to play either Cornerback or Safety for the Gamecocks. The Peach state product is a three-star prospect according to 247sports and was recruited to USC by South Carolina Defensive Coordinator Lorenzo Ward. Ward & South Carolina have now developed a "pipeline" into Stephenson High School down in Stone Mountain, GA. In the last three recruiting cycles Carolina has landed five commitments from this power house football program outside of Atlanta: DB Kadetrix Marcus (2011), RB Mike Davis (2012-Enrolled), DB Kyle Fleetwood (2012-Enrolled), DT Carlos Hood (2012-headed to Fork Union Prep in Virginia) and DB Ali Groves (2013-verbal commitment). Groves is the 14th verbal commitment in USC's 2013 football recruiting class. He is the 11th defensive prospect for the Gamecocks. Also according to Kornblut, USC might be nearing its 15th verbal commitment if Georgia Military College LB Brandon Golson casts his lot with USC following a scheduled visit to Columbia on Wednesday. Golson is a Calhoun County native and actually committed to South Carolina back in 2010. USC's Admissions Office denied Golson's acceptance two years ago and so for the past two years the former Calhoun County High School star has attempted to improve his grades at the Georgia Military College. Golson is a four-star prospect according to 247sports and is being recruited to USC by Special Teams Coach Joe Robinson. Go Gamecocks!