Pledge not wavering
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Linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) was one of the first verbal commitments for the 2014 South Carolina recruiting class and he has been helping build that recruiting class ever since.
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Allen-Williams has taken many visits to Columbia in the past but took his official visit to South Carolina this weekend.
"I had a great time," Allen-Williams said. "It was good talking with Skai (Moore), Larenz (Bryant), and Coach Shaq Wilson. I have a real good relationship with those guys now. I can't wait to get up here and play with those guys and under Coach Wilson. He is one of the smartest guys I've talked to. He is just a true coach and I can't wait to play under him."
Wilson, a former Gamecock linebacker and now graduate assistant, made a huge impression on Allen-Williams this weekend.
"I'm going to go ahead and go out on a limb and say he is going to be my mentor the next four years," Allen-Williams said. "Just looking at the way he plays, he never let his size get to him. He went out every week when he was here and dominated every game. He is one of the guys that I want to play like and possibly be better than."
Allen-Williams said that he measured in at 6-1.5 230 pounds this weekend. He will start out at WILL linebacker in the base South Carolina defense but could be used in a variety of ways.
He said that in his talks with South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward and linebacker coach Kirk Botkin there could be some new looks next season from the defense that will involve him.
"There are a couple things that they are telling me but I'm not going to release that until next year," Allen-Williams said. "There are a couple packages that they are putting in that you are going to see. It is a lot of good stuff. They are talking about using me early. I talked with Coach Joe Rob (Robinson) and I'm probably going to play a lot of special teams. I'm just trying to get on the field and contribute any way I know how."
It is no secret that Allen-Williams has been South Carolina's best recruiter in this recruiting class. He was back at work this weekend with several uncommitted prospects in town.
"Chris Lammons and Wesley Green are the guys I have been working this whole week," Allen-Williams said. "I'm trying to work Damian Prince too. I just have a good feeling about a lot of the guys here. It is going to be a great class this year."
Allen-Williams does still plan to take a couple official visits to end the month. Alabama will be one of them.
"I talked to (Alabama defensive coordinator) Coach (Kirby) Smart," Allen-Williams said. "It's not even a visit to go because I am considering them. I'm just visiting to hold a good relationship with him. Coaches go to the league every year. Who knows if he is a coach on an NFL team when I'm on my way to the NFL? You never want to burn bridges with guys so that's why I still have a relationship with all of the coaches that have recruited me and he just wanted me to come on a visit and have a good time."
He will visit Alabama next weekend officially and then probably officially visit Georgia the last weekend in January. He maintains that there is nothing to worry about with his commitment to South Carolina.
I'm only going to be recruited once," Allen-Williams said. "I'm going to go have a good time. Coach Ward knows I'm solid. Coach Botkin knows I'm solid. Coach (Steve) Spurrier knows I'm solid. South Carolina fans know that I'm solid. I'm really not worried about anyone else. I'm probably going to (visit) Georgia. (Georgia defensive coordinator) Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt asked me to take a visit also. I'm solid though. Don't get riled up Gamecock Nation."
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