Will the Gamecocks be able to hold on to Jordan Burch?

[FeatheredCock]

[SIZE=20.0pt]Will the Gamecocks be able to hold on to Jordan Burch?
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January 26, 2020

Gamecocks thought it had won the recruiting war for 5-star defensive tackle Jordan Burch when the Hammond School product announced to a gym full of family and friends, and to a nationwide audience, a commitment to the Gamecocks on December 18th. The fact he did not sign his LOI that day was no doubt annoying to Gamecock head coach Will Muschamp, his staff and Gamecock fans, but Burch assured all during an interview at the Under Armour All-American Game check-in December 28th that he didn’t sign because he wanted to join his teammates in signing February 5th, and he was 100% committed to the Gamecocks.

Is this true 100% committed? If so why visit LSU?

The facts say why did Burch decide to take an unofficial visit to LSU Saturday. Is this the fact he is not 100% committed to the Gamecocks and is not a lock to sign with the Gamecock February 5th? Why would you go on national TV, declare for the hometown team, not sign the letter-of-intent, and then pay your own way back to see a school that you had visited officially in late October?  When Burch announced for the Gamecocks, he said LSU was second on his list. The source added that from his information coming from LSU, the Tigers believed that the Gamecocks were not the player’s first choice.

 Also, Clemson may actually have been Burch’s preferred school at one point, but the Tigers backed off after he announced for the Gamecocks. LSU, however, has kept up its pursuit, and the run to the national championship hasn’t hurt the Tigers’ chances.

Gamecocks still have a chance to fix this. Burch hasn’t taken his official visit with the Gamecocks. There’s one weekend left before the February signing period and the speculation is Burch will visit the Gamecocks next weekend. Of course, as he has operated under the cone of silence, we won’t know that Burch is actually on the Gamecock campus until he’s spotted there though. The question now Will Burch still be open to overtures from Muschamp and company? Was his heart really in his earlier commitment, or was that just appeasement? The Gamecocks will have there answer in about 9 days as counting down to signing day approaches.  It may not be what the Gamecocks want to hear.

 

[FeatheredCock]

Really do not know if he will flip or not, but he visited the team that did win the National Title. Gamecocks finished 4-8.  If Burch releases a statement next few days  still committed to the Gamecocks would ease some nerves for sure. But this is recruiting and dealing with kids really. Will not be the end of the world. So who knows about where he will land. The future of the Gamecock program and the leadership here right now worries me more. Still a lot of rocky road ahead. Next few years will be interesting with Bulldog Tanner and the board USC has right now. Somehow it will all work out. Always does. 

 

[gamecock88]

I rarely comment on recruiting news and don't follow it much until signing day because of the drama like this.  It's a big decision and I get that.  He should explore all opportunities and make the best decision for his needs and what he sees as the best fit.  That said, the announcements, "commitments", "decommitted", "soft commit" is all very silly (in general, not directed at Burch).  If you're not 100% don't say it.  If you are, sign and move forward.  Not signing and using other reasons are just a way of keeping the door open and I get that, I quess.  Not may colleges were coming after me for anything when I was 17 so I have no real experience.  From an adult standpoint though, say it, sign it, stick to it.  Or just be quiet until you can.  That said, hope he's a Gamecock.

 

[ConwayGamecock]

His entire recruiting process was so low-played and close to the vest - I never had any idea at all if he'd even commit to us. That he did was a pleasant surprise, but because of that process, I still am totally in the dark as to where he's leaning. We went 4-8 this past season and really don't give me much hope that we'll be much better than that in 2020, while LSU won the national title: they are losing a ton of playing and coaching talent from that team, so they will also have major questions next season, but I still feel they are in a better place than we are. But who knows - the final NSD is only a week or two away......

 

[Lalli25]

Don’t fault him for taking his trips and confirming his decision.  I’m obviously hopeful that he sticks with USC and bias but don’t see him going to LSU.  I think his mother wants him close to home.  Also just don’t see him doing that big ESPN announcement and then going back on it.