Gamecocks make major move with in-state safety

Summerville (S.C.) Cane Bay class of 2018 safety RJ Roderick has been quietly accumulating offers and on Monday he landed a big one.

Roderick's second visit of the month to South Carolina left the 6-foot, 207-pounder with an offer from the Gamecocks which quickly moved the in-state program to the top of his list.

"It was more them giving me insight on the program and welcoming me and making me feel at home, more than any facility or anything like that," Roderick said of what stood out to him. "I pay more attention to the relationship-building aspect of recruiting, just being there and feeling comfortable. Talking to coach Muschamp today, they're all very upfront. They're not going to lie and I really respect that. I was just excited the whole time."

Roderick, who now has eight offers, originally met Muschamp briefly after the spring game earlier this month but got a better feel for the Gamecocks' head coach Monday.

"He's more than just a coach," Roderick said. "He's a great coach, but off the field he's an even better person and he was telling me he believes in tough love. He's real family oriented and a lot of that stuff is what you want to hear. He prioritizes building relationships with his athletes and he also prioritizes grades as well. He gets on you about that. It's more than just football, it's about your future as well."

Roderick, who plays a number of positions for his high school, reminds the Carolina staff of Atlanta Falcons' safety Keanu Neal, who Muschamp and Travaris Robinson coached at Florida.

"T-Rob is just a good person, all-around," Roderick said. "You can tell he's serious when it comes to coaching, but he's funny off the field. It's just something about everybody that I met today, I get a good feeling. Coach T-Rob is just a great guy, as well as Muschamp."

Roderick also holds offers from Virginia, ECU, Wofford, Air Force, Army, The Citadel and South Carolina State.

He has a decision date in mind.

"I plan on being a verbal on September 14, but the way things are now it might be prior to that date," Roderick said. "I might just re-announce it or hard commit and not be open to anything else and really be decided by September."

Roderick plans to be back at South Carolina on April 29. He's also planning visits to Virginia, Coastal and possibly Duke.

The rising senior rushed for 1,778 yards and 23 touchdowns on 229 carries as a quarterback last season.