7/4/2017 football Edit

South Carolina lands pledge from speedy running back

Wes Mitchell • GamecockScoop

Football/Recruiting Insider

GamecockCentral.com offers in-depth & insider coverage of South Carolina Gamecocks football, recruiting, baseball, basketball. News, rosters, schedules, scores, message boards, rankings, stats, polls.

Melbourne (Fla.) Central Catholic class of 2018 three-star running back Lavonte Valentine is one of the fastest -- and fastest-rising -- prospects in the country.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder announced a commitment to South Carolina today.

Also see: How did USC land Valentine and what will he bring to the field? We give you the scoop in our INSIDE THE COMMITMENT feature

Valentine, who has been timed at 10.44-seconds in the 100-meter dash, saw his recruitment blow up this spring as offers rolled in from South Carolina, Kentucky, Oregon, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Florida and LSU.

Valentine, who says he runs the 40 in 4.31-seconds, has family from South Carolina, which also helped the Gamecocks' case.

Running backs coach Bobby Bentley served as Valentine's recruiter.

Also see: what did Valentine's coach have to say about his game? We interviewed him - check out the feature here...

Valentine is the 12th commitment to the Gamecocks' 2018 class and second of the day after Jabari Ellis pledged earlier Tuesday.

running back joining three-star Deshaun Fenwick.