Gamecocks offer another Canadian lineman

The coaching staff from South Carolina recently received some good news when Canadian offensive lineman Gurminder Thind received his approval by the Clearinghouse. Thind joins offensive lineman Justin Sorenson and tight end Robert Pavlovic as three current Gamecocks from north of the border. The Gamecocks are looking to add to that total in this year's signing class and have now offered another offensive lineman, this time from the Ontario area.

Matt Morencie is 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds and bench presses 330 pounds and he currently has his eyes on three schools.

"I am considering Michigan, Michigan State and South Carolina," Morencie said. "So far, South Carolina is the first to offer me, but I think Michigan State is close, too."

Morencie shared his thoughts on the three schools on his list.

Michigan - "The overall prestige of their program is amazing. They have winning football program and great academics. My Dad and I are both big Michigan fans and I think it would be amazing to play there."

Michigan State - "I'm very comfortable with the coaches down there. I went to summer camp there and really enjoyed it. They're in the Big Ten, which is an amazing conference. And they're a winning program.

South Carolina - "When they offered me, I really didn't know that much about them. But I've done a lot of research on them since then and I've learned a lot about them. They're also a very good team in a very good conference. And they have great academics."

In terms of what he's looking for in a school, Morencie has three things in mind.

"First off, academics will be big," he said. "Then I'll look at each football program and what the future at each school looks like. Then just my overall comfort level with the coaches and the players."

As for a timeframe on a decision, Morencie is not in any hurry.

"I still have plenty of time, so I don't think I will decide until sometime in January," he said. "I want to take some visits to each of the schools and learn as much as I can before deciding. Right now, since I know so much about the two Michigan schools, I'd have to say they're at the top. Then South Carolina is right there, too."

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