CHAPIN, S.C.—Hank Manos didn’t grow up a Gamecock fan, but here he was early in the morning on the first day of the early signing period ever sporting a grey hoodie with “South Carolina” emblazoned on the front.

Despite growing up a Clemson fan, the three-star center officially signed on to play for Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks Wednesday morning.

“My granddad played at Clemson so we grew up on the Tiger side,” he said after inking the documents, “but I’m happy to be a Gamecock now.”

Also see: The latest scoop throughout the early signing day

Manos said his family gave him a little grief picking the school he grew up a rival of, but they’re also excited the Chapin product has the opportunity to go play for an SEC school.

He had a bigger ceremony in November in front of the entire student body but signed in the official documents during the newly implemented early signing period in front of his family and coaches Wednesday.

The documents were sent in first thing in the morning, a little after 7 a.m.

“It’s definitely a big relief to get this all done: sign the papers, turn them in,” Manos said. “So that’s just a big finishing touch on the recruiting process, but it’s just great to have it all done.”

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Now, Manos turns his attention from the recruiting process to getting ready to compete in practice as a Gamecock.

He’s planning on enrolling early for the spring semester starting in January to get a head start on workouts and getting his body right for being a high-caliber lineman.

He also said he’ll try and sway a few recruits who are on the fence about their college choice and try to steer them toward Carolina.

“Going ahead and getting started with workouts and turning into a college center,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot weight-wise and strength-wise, but I’m excited to get started.”

Also see: When will Gamecock commits sign?

Manos chose South Carolina over offers from North Carolina State, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest, among others.

A local prospect, he’s one of five linemen committed in the 2018 class, joining Jesus Gibbs, Wyatt Campbell, Maxwell Iyama and Lamarius Benson.

Manos said one of the biggest reasons he picked South Carolina was because of the coaching staff with Muschamp and line coach Eric Wolford.

Now, instead of being recruited by them, he’ll get to play for them and try to fulfill the recruiting pitch they gave him for the last couple years.

“Change the tradition. So basically come in and try to change I guess the stigma around South Carolina right now,” he said. “Trying to make them into a powerhouse, and that’s what everyone’s trying to do. That’s what we all look forward to as commits and as signees.”