Fennell commits

Loganville (Georgia) Grayson linebacker Daniel Fennell did not appear close to wrapping up the recruiting process as of late, with official visits to Georgia Tech and South Carolina on the docket.

On Friday, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder decided that he was ready to make a verbal commitment to South Carolina after an in-home visit with lead recruiter G.A. Mangus, a pledge with which he surprised even himself.

"I didn't see it coming," he said. After talking with the coaches, I knew it was right. South Carolina is not far, it's in the SEC, and they have a great fan base."

Fennell's official visit to Columbia is not until January 23, but he did make it to campus this season for an unofficial visit.

"I really like the whole area, the scenery. They were really excited about the game," he explained. "It wasn't a real big game and they were still coming through. They had really nice facilities. I didn't get to go to campus a bunch, but what we did drive through was really nice."

The Gamecock coaching staff was cited as another factor for Fennell's decision to make the call for USC.

"Coach Spurrier is a real cool guy," he said. "Coach Mangus did a real good job recruiting me. He got me in contact with my position coach and he did a real good job with me too. Coach Botkin came by the school. They both called me, wrote me letters and all that. They're both really cool guys."

The Peach State product broke down how USC plans to use him in the defensive scheme.

"Coach said I would start off as a WILL and that I could turn into a MIKE as I got bigger and more in touch with the system. We run something similar over here."

With a commitment in place to the Gamecocks, Fennell does still plan on taking his scheduled visit to Georgia Tech next weekend. He does not see himself pulling a switch, however.

"I talked with the coaches about it if the visit to Georgia Tech would still be cool. I think I'm still going to take it because I made that promise and the Georgia Tech coaches have been really to me," he said. "I have a real good relationship with Ted Roof and them and don't want to back out of that. I don't think I'll change my decision."

[rl]