Israel Mukuamu is coming home

Three-star safety Israel Mukuamu is coming home.

The former Moncks Corner (S.C.) Berkeley standout announced a pledge to South Carolina Saturday evening just weeks after decommitting from Florida State.

"Just being able to have the opportunity to come in the program and play early [stands out]," Mukuamu said of his decision. "Also just being able to go back to the state of South Carolina and play football there again!"

South Carolina was the first school to offer the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder, who played his junior and senior seasons at Parkway High in Bossier City, La. after moving there from Moncks Corner.

But Mukuamu will return to his home state and play for the Gamecocks, who he will sign with on December 20, the first day of the new early signing period.

He plans to enroll at the school in January and will go through spring practice with the team.

Mukuamu, ranked the No. 22 safety in the country by Rivals.com, will help bolster a secondary for Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson that loses three starters from the 2017 squad.

"Our relationship is pretty strong," Mukuamu says. "They both have high expectations of me walking into the program so I’m taking on the challenge. I can’t wait to get coached by the both of them. Obviously, they have a lot of success putting DBs in the league, so you’re going to get developed just have to do your part."

The rangy safety prospect chose the Gamecocks over offers from Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Florida, Louisville, Mississippi and Oklahoma State, among others.

Mukuamu committed to FSU in June, but remained in contact with other schools, taking official visits to USC, UGA and Indiana. He decommitted from the Seminoles due to the uncertainty surrounding their coaching staff as rumors swirled that Jimbo Fisher was set to take the Texas A&M job.