Helms joins Gamecocks

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While USC's football staff hosted a large contingent of official visitors from high school and junior college this weekend, one key target was from the transfer ranks.

Georgia native Cory Helms, a former Wake Forest center, decided to spend the rest of his college career at South Carolina today following his official visit to Columbia.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder played in all 12 games during his freshman season in 2013 and started 11 at center for the Demon Deacons, earning numerous Freshman All-America honors. During his sophomore season he was a starter at the left guard position before announcing his transfer earlier this year.

"Everything was great," Helms said. "The best part was being around the other offensive linemen. It was probably the first time I hung out with other recruits and the group of linemen that I will be playing with. I felt like we had a good bond."

Helms, who played high school ball at Alpharetta (Georgia) Milton, took official visits to Mississippi State and Texas A&M prior to arriving in Columbia on Friday for his official to USC. Penn State also offered Helms and had an official visit scheduled for next weekend before he shut the process down in favor of the Gamecocks.

Helms is looking forward to playing for Carolina offensive line coach Shawn Elliott.

"They definitely have a big need at center and I feel like I can come in and help them out big time there," Helms said. "I really like Coach Elliott because he is a real fiery guy. Every player that I've come in contact with absolutely loves him. They say he is a great coach, real fired up and energetic. Everybody loves him."

For USC, quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus was the recruiter of record.

Helms will sit out the 2015 season and have two years of eligibility remaining at South Carolina. He plans to enroll at USC in May.

Quotes provided by GamecockCentral.com's Josh Low.