Four-star defensive end Arden Key update
Jan. 25, 2015
Four-star defensive end Arden Key (Atlanta, Ga./Hapeville Charter) has completed his trip to South Carolina and not much has changed. He doesn’t claim a leader and enjoyed his time in Columbia, but he didn’t commit and plans to take one more official visit.
“Everything was really an overview,” Key said. “I’ve been here plenty of time. I know a lot of the players and it was all about catching up and talking a little football. I’ve been here plenty of times and know a lot of people. I have the inside track on what’s going on in South Carolina football. It’s always good to reconnect with the boys you grew up with. I have a couple of players I played rec ball with who go to this school, so it was all good.”
Key, who was hosted by redshirt freshman defensive back Wesley Green, enjoyed catching up with some of his old friends. He grew up playing football with sophomore Bryson Allen-Williams, who was another important recruiter for South Carolina this weekend.
Key has been to South Carolina several times and said the official visit to South Carolina was right there in enjoyment level with LSU and Miami, the two schools he’s visited already.
“The visit stacked up pretty good,” Key said. “Right now, I’m not making a decision. I’m taking it all the way out. I’m just having fun right now. I’ll take all of my officials and then decide where I want to go.”
One hot-button topic has been where Key will visit next weekend. He’s been quoted as saying Auburn and Georgia but, at least as it stands on Sunday, January 25, Key will visit The Plains.
“I’ll be at Auburn,” Key said.
One hundred percent Auburn?
“Oh yeah.”
Are you going to try to get by Georgia at all since it’s a quick trip?
“No.”
Nothing with Georgia?
“No.”
Key said the plan is still to make his announcement on Fox Sports the Monday before National Signing Day, but he doesn’t have any leaders at this point.
“No favorites,” Key said. “I’m just taking all of it in.”
One important aspect of his recruitment, at least as it relates to South Carolina, is where things stand with the coaching staff. There is plenty of chatter about coaching changes and head coach Steve Spurrier has noted that he could add members to his staff.
As long as no one leaves, adding coaches is exciting for Key.
“I had questions about coaching and all of that has been taken care of,” Key said. “They said all the coaches are staying, they’re just going to add coaches. They said no coaches are leaving, so adding coaches is always a good thing.”
The fact that he can play early is important for Key as well. He knows the Gamecocks are deficient in pass rushers and he believes he can come in and help out right away.
“They said I have the opportunity to come in and play as a true freshman,” Key said. “That was the weakest part of the defense last year. They need a pass rusher and that’s what I can do. My opportunity is great this fall.”
Key weighed 225 pounds on his official visit. He is ranked as a four-star prospect
Jan. 25, 2015
Four-star defensive end Arden Key (Atlanta, Ga./Hapeville Charter) has completed his trip to South Carolina and not much has changed. He doesn’t claim a leader and enjoyed his time in Columbia, but he didn’t commit and plans to take one more official visit.
“Everything was really an overview,” Key said. “I’ve been here plenty of time. I know a lot of the players and it was all about catching up and talking a little football. I’ve been here plenty of times and know a lot of people. I have the inside track on what’s going on in South Carolina football. It’s always good to reconnect with the boys you grew up with. I have a couple of players I played rec ball with who go to this school, so it was all good.”
Key, who was hosted by redshirt freshman defensive back Wesley Green, enjoyed catching up with some of his old friends. He grew up playing football with sophomore Bryson Allen-Williams, who was another important recruiter for South Carolina this weekend.
Key has been to South Carolina several times and said the official visit to South Carolina was right there in enjoyment level with LSU and Miami, the two schools he’s visited already.
“The visit stacked up pretty good,” Key said. “Right now, I’m not making a decision. I’m taking it all the way out. I’m just having fun right now. I’ll take all of my officials and then decide where I want to go.”
One hot-button topic has been where Key will visit next weekend. He’s been quoted as saying Auburn and Georgia but, at least as it stands on Sunday, January 25, Key will visit The Plains.
“I’ll be at Auburn,” Key said.
One hundred percent Auburn?
“Oh yeah.”
Are you going to try to get by Georgia at all since it’s a quick trip?
“No.”
Nothing with Georgia?
“No.”
Key said the plan is still to make his announcement on Fox Sports the Monday before National Signing Day, but he doesn’t have any leaders at this point.
“No favorites,” Key said. “I’m just taking all of it in.”
One important aspect of his recruitment, at least as it relates to South Carolina, is where things stand with the coaching staff. There is plenty of chatter about coaching changes and head coach Steve Spurrier has noted that he could add members to his staff.
As long as no one leaves, adding coaches is exciting for Key.
“I had questions about coaching and all of that has been taken care of,” Key said. “They said all the coaches are staying, they’re just going to add coaches. They said no coaches are leaving, so adding coaches is always a good thing.”
The fact that he can play early is important for Key as well. He knows the Gamecocks are deficient in pass rushers and he believes he can come in and help out right away.
“They said I have the opportunity to come in and play as a true freshman,” Key said. “That was the weakest part of the defense last year. They need a pass rusher and that’s what I can do. My opportunity is great this fall.”
Key weighed 225 pounds on his official visit. He is ranked as a four-star prospect