According to Key, his official visit schedule for January is as follows...
Jan. 16 LSU
Jan. 19 Miami
Jan. 23 South Carolina
Jan. 30 Georgia
“All of those schools really have a clean slate right now,” he said.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Key has been committed to the Gamecocks since June 3, the second time he has committed to South Carolina.
With the official visits lined up, what is the current status of his pledge?
“I would classify is it about 75 percent,” Key said. “It is getting closer to signing day, so I have to make sure I am making the right decision.”
His relationship with USC defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward is a key element in his recruitment and attraction to the Gamecocks.
“(Ward) is like my big brother almost,” Key said. “We talk once a week, twice a week, something like that. He’s been recruiting me since before I was in the 10th grade, so I respect him for recruiting me for that long.”
LSU and Georgia are the two programs nipping at the heels of the Gamecocks.
“(LSU) is No. 2 in sending players to the NFL defensive line wise,” Key said. “I went to the Alabama-LSU game (unofficially) and the atmosphere was crazy. I thought there was going to be an earthquake. I was scared.”
His relationship with his Bayou Bengals recruiter, defensive line coach Brick Haley also is important.
“(Haley) was a defensive line coach for the Chicago Bears,” Key said. “So I know he knows how to get players to that level.”
Proximity is a big factor when it comes to UGA.
“They are the home state school and you can’t go wrong with Georgia,” Key said. “I also know that they would make me a better man if I went there.” The Canes also are in the mix.
“The history there (is what I am attracted to), Miami itself,” Key said. “They are top five in sending players off to the league.”
So what is it going to take for LSU, Georgia or Miami to top South Carolina?
“They would have to show me a better graduation rate, are they are going to be able to make me a better man and if the guys that came in before me were able to reach their full potential,” Key said.
Speaking of full potential, Key hopes to show off some of that in Orlando this week. Practices for the Under Armour All-America Game get cranking on Monday (10 a.m. ET).
“It’s a blessing first off (to be invited to the game),” Key said. “I am really out here to make a statement. I missed The Opening and all of the camps because of a foot injury. I feel like this is an opportunity for me to make myself known nationally.”
Key believes he’s prepared physically.
“I took off two weeks and then went right back for training. It was for preparation for the college level, but I got right back into training.”
Jan. 16 LSU
Jan. 19 Miami
Jan. 23 South Carolina
Jan. 30 Georgia
“All of those schools really have a clean slate right now,” he said.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Key has been committed to the Gamecocks since June 3, the second time he has committed to South Carolina.
With the official visits lined up, what is the current status of his pledge?
“I would classify is it about 75 percent,” Key said. “It is getting closer to signing day, so I have to make sure I am making the right decision.”
His relationship with USC defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward is a key element in his recruitment and attraction to the Gamecocks.
“(Ward) is like my big brother almost,” Key said. “We talk once a week, twice a week, something like that. He’s been recruiting me since before I was in the 10th grade, so I respect him for recruiting me for that long.”
LSU and Georgia are the two programs nipping at the heels of the Gamecocks.
“(LSU) is No. 2 in sending players to the NFL defensive line wise,” Key said. “I went to the Alabama-LSU game (unofficially) and the atmosphere was crazy. I thought there was going to be an earthquake. I was scared.”
His relationship with his Bayou Bengals recruiter, defensive line coach Brick Haley also is important.
“(Haley) was a defensive line coach for the Chicago Bears,” Key said. “So I know he knows how to get players to that level.”
Proximity is a big factor when it comes to UGA.
“They are the home state school and you can’t go wrong with Georgia,” Key said. “I also know that they would make me a better man if I went there.” The Canes also are in the mix.
“The history there (is what I am attracted to), Miami itself,” Key said. “They are top five in sending players off to the league.”
So what is it going to take for LSU, Georgia or Miami to top South Carolina?
“They would have to show me a better graduation rate, are they are going to be able to make me a better man and if the guys that came in before me were able to reach their full potential,” Key said.
Speaking of full potential, Key hopes to show off some of that in Orlando this week. Practices for the Under Armour All-America Game get cranking on Monday (10 a.m. ET).
“It’s a blessing first off (to be invited to the game),” Key said. “I am really out here to make a statement. I missed The Opening and all of the camps because of a foot injury. I feel like this is an opportunity for me to make myself known nationally.”
Key believes he’s prepared physically.
“I took off two weeks and then went right back for training. It was for preparation for the college level, but I got right back into training.”
