Dream come true: Darius Rush first to commit to Gamecocks

Monday was a dream come true for Greeleyville (S.C.) C.E. Murray three-star ATH Darius Rush.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder went public on Twitter with a pledge to South Carolina, becoming their first commit of the 2018 class in the process.

A lifelong Carolina fan, Rush landed an offer from the Gamecocks last month and fresh off a junior day visit Saturday, he saw no reason to wait.

"I grew up a Gamecock," Rush said. "It's where I grew up, family went there, I just love being a Gamecock since I was little. It's exciting. I always wanted to be a Gamecock and my dream came true today."

*** Inside the commitment: Go behind the scenes on Rush's commitment. When did he give Muschamp the word? What other schools were in the mix? What type of player is he? ***

Rush is ranked an athlete in the Rivals.com system due to his ability to play multiple positions in football, but he's a pure athlete in a deeper sense of the word. Rush has played five different sports -- football, basketball, baseball, golf and track -- during his high school career.

A two-time state champion in track, on the football field Rush plays quarterback and defensive back at Murray, but projects as a wide receiver for the Gamecocks.

He'll have the opportunity for a more refined focus in Columbia, though he could still participate in track at South Carolina.

"They love the way I can move around, play all different types of positions on the field," Rush said. "They offered me at wide receiver, so they said it would be great for me to just come in and work on that one position."

Rush is looking forward to playing for head coach Will Muschamp.

"Coach Muschamp is a great guy," Rush said. "He has good character. He is excellent. He knows what he wants in his football players: character. He wants to make sure that he's dealing with a good person that he wants on his team and in his program."

Rush chose the Gamecocks over offers from Charlotte and Miami (Oh.), but was starting to receive major interest from Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Duke, Notre Dame, Purdue, Virginia Tech and Virginia.

Rush was recruited to Carolina by Lance Thompson and Bryan McClendon.