USC or LSU? Gamecocks get final word with Burch, and they’re making the most of it
Jordan Burch emerged from the Hammond locker room Friday night. A big crowd was waiting.
As Burch opened the door inside Heathwood Hall’s gymnasium, members of the Gamecocks coaching staff were there along with freshman defensive linemen Zacch Pickens and Joseph Anderson. USC had seven assistant coaches at the game, including Eric Wolford, Bobby Bentley, Kyle Krantz, Mike Bobo, Thomas Brown, Mike Peterson and John Scott.
Burch is a South Carolina commitment, and the Gamecocks are trying to hold off a late push by national champion LSU for the five-star prospect. He’s taking his official visit to USC this weekend. The next signing day is Wednesday.
Quarterback Ryan Hilinski was there but slipped out just before Hammond’s 46-42 victory. USC coach Will Muschamp wasn’t in attendance. College head coaches only get one day for an off-campus visit to a prospect, per NCAA rules, and Muschamp already used his to see Burch.
Most of the USC coaches there Friday sat around Burch’s mom and remained following the game. Burch afterward shook hands and talked briefly to the Gamecocks coaches, then took a few photos with fans before getting on the bus back to Hammond.
On the court, Burch turned in one of his best games of the season with a game-high 22 points in the Skyhawks’ win over Heathwood.
“I told Jordan before the game we are down Boogie (Alex Huntley) and Andre Wilson. We need you to step up and take over the game,” Hammond forward Saul Diaz said. “We know what Jordan can do when he tries and he took over for 32 minutes.”
Huntley, also a USC commitment, missed Friday’s game with a groin injury but is expected back next week.
“I was proud of him,” Huntley said. “That is how he needs to come out every game and play dominant.”
Burch committed to South Carolina in a nationally-televised ceremony on Dec. 18 but chose not to make it official as part of the early signing period. Instead he’ll join his Hammond teammates — including Huntley, Diaz and quarterback Jackson Muschamp — at the school’s National Signing Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
“He is just taking it one day at a time, talking with his mom and family. That’s how he should be doing it,” Huntley said. “This is a big decision for him. He is going to make what’s best for him and I am going to be there for him.”
Speculation surrounding Burch’s recruitment intensified after he visited LSU last weekend. Burch told reporters before the Under Armour all-star game in December that LSU was second behind USC in his recruitment.
No LSU coaches were present Friday night. Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron, like Muschamp, already had his off-campus visit with Burch.
Burch is taking his official visit to USC this weekend and arrived there shortly after Friday’s game, according to The Big Spur. That means Muschamp and the Gamecocks get through Sunday to host Burch and have the final word with him before signing day.
He should be in attendance at the Gamecocks’ basketball game Saturday against Missouri along with other prospects who are visiting. USC’s early signing class will be introduced at halftime.
“Jordan has nothing but good things to say about the USC coaching staff,” Diaz said. “He sees that place at home and those coaches as mentors to him.”
‘We want Burch!’ Gamecocks, fans roll out garnet carpet for coveted 5-star commitment
