Turner commits

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Clifton (Va.) Centreville RB AJ Turner has long been on South Carolina's radar. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder visited South Carolina last summer, which established the Gamecock program as one to watch with him.

Back in the spring, he returned for a follow-up visit. When he trimmed his list to five shortly thereafter, USC was right at the top of that group. Turner originally planned on waiting things out until late in the process, but things culminated today when he went public with his verbal commitment to the Gamecocks.

"I think that they're a top program in the SEC," Turner told Rivals.com. "They definitely have a chance to win a national title. I'll be in a really good position if I go there. I'll be one of four running backs there when I get on campus. I think that's pretty good. I'll also be able to do kick return [and] punt return, and they would use me some other ways."

Deke Adams took the lead on Turner's recruitment, but he also has a strong relationship with RB coach Everette Sands. "I like Coach Sands, and he has been with me from the start even when I went to their one-day camp over the summer," he told Rivals.com. "They were the first school to offer me. It's really family oriented and I like the atmosphere down there," said Turner. "I like how their game day goes and their uniforms. I just love the way the coaches coach."

Turner chose South Carolina over offers from Clemson, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and many others. His final three was Michigan State, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The three-star back is the second prospect from the state of Virginia to pledge to South Carolina this cycle, joining four-star OL Austin Clark.

Now that Turner is committed, go inside the process and how/when he made the decision to pick USC. Find out what type of player and person he is and get our expert take in Inside the Decision (for subscribers)