South Carolina Lands 4-Star Alabama 2017 QB Jake Bentley
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Will Muschamp parlayed his time in Alabama with Auburn to in-roads to help land Class of 2017 4-star quarterback Jake Bentley on Thursday.
The Opelika High School talent shot up the college recruiting boards during the 2015 season after completing 165 or 284 passes for 2,834 yards with 28 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Showing the ability to run when needed, Bentley added another 340 yards with four scores to his offensive output.
Bentley made his announcement official on Twitter posting, “First of all I want to thank God for giving me opportunities and opening doors for me to further my education and football career at the next level. Thank you to every coach that has recruited me and invested their time to build a relationship with me. After many prayers and talks with my family I have decided that I am coming back home and committing to The University of South Carolina. I am ready to be a part of the New Era of Gamecock Football! #SpursUp.”
South Carolina had been in the mix for Bentley hosting him twice in January and again in mid-February for a Gamecocks Junior Day. Bentley unofficially visited Alabama on March 8 receiving an offer from the Crimson Tide during his visit. Other schools to offer Bentley includes Auburn, Arkansas, Clemson, Georgia, Stanford, Nebraska, Miami, LSU, Illinois, Louisville, and Duke.
Bentley is the second 4-star recruit the Gamecocks have added to the 2017 class and perhaps the most important. Landing Bentley sends a strong message to other SEC and ACC schools that South Carolina is coming after top recruits throughout the region. Bentley’s presence with the class can help start adding offensive pieces around him as a building block going forward.
South Carolina Gamecocks 2017 Verbal Commitment List
LB Damani Staley, 6-1, 200, Ridge View HS, Columbia, SC
TE Will Register, 6-4, 240, Chapin HS, Chapin, SC
OT Summie Carlay, 6-5, 280, Laurens HS, Laurens, SC
OT Dennis Daley, 6-6, 310, Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA
QB Jake Bentley, 6-3, 220, Opelika HS, Opelika, AL
WR Stephen Guidry, 6-4, 190, Hinds C.C., Raymond, MS
Photo credit: al.com; Jake Bentley drops back to pass with pressure coming.