Ask Farrell: Should South Carolina fans worry about Burch?
Jordan Burch said very little throughout the recruiting process. He didn’t do interviews. Didn’t post much news on social media. He was the antithesis of what recruiting has become where players control the narrative from start to finish and almost always love to have their name in public view.
So it was interesting on National Signing Day when the five-star defensive end from Columbia (S.C.) Hammond School committed to South Carolina over LSU, Clemson, Georgia and Alabama but chose not to sign with the Gamecocks.
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Burch’s reasoning was that he wanted to wait until February to sign with his teammates, including fellow South Carolina pledge Alex Huntley, a four-star defensive tackle. That made sense, although it also kept the door open for other national powers recruiting him to not give up.
At the Under Armour Game media day, Burch was asked about that decision and predictably said LSU, Clemson and others have pursued him after signing day and there’s at least a small possibility he could take some visits in the coming weeks before February.
For someone who preferred to stay out of the recruiting spotlight for years, Burch could be the main focus of the late signing period, especially if he’s spotted in Baton Rouge, Clemson, Athens or Tuscaloosa.
Rated as the eighth-best prospect in the 2020 class, South Carolina won a huge recruiting battle for Burch and the next few weeks are going to be crucial as the Gamecocks try to stave off elite players trying to stay in his recruitment.
FARRELL'S TAKE
Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell was at Under Armour media day and talked to Burch about his commitment, his decision to hold off signing and he got a better sense of whether the Gamecocks are in any danger. We ask Farrell what he thinks Burch will do over the next few weeks and why?
“Burch left the door open a crack by not signing with the Gamecocks and said he would consider another visit or two in January, but I think he’s all South Carolina and just wants to sign with his teammates and classmates in February. Nothing around here that I’ve heard makes me believe South Carolina is in any trouble here for the talented five star.”