In-state recruit, already committed to Cincinnati, reacts to South Carolina offer

To the surprise of many, South Carolina did not get the commitment from Rock Hill wide receiver Malik Clark on Thursday. He chose Florida State.

USC head coach Shane Beamer and receivers coach Mike Furrey, however, took the news in stride and did not delay. Later Thursday they offered Riverside TE/WR Mikkell Skinner, who, like Clark, is regarded as one of the top prospects in the state.

Skinner, who has been committed to Cincinnati since June , has not shut down his recruiting. He was on a visit to West Virginia on Thursday when he got the offer from the Gamecocks. He was contacted by Beamer, Furrey and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.

“Been a big fan since I was little,” Skinner said. “It took longer than I expected, but the process is all business and I understand it. I got it now so I’m just thankful. I put the work in to do bigger and better things. I know I’m going to get more to come.”

The Gamecock coaches watched Skinner (6-3, 210) work when he was in for a camp in June and also for a seven-on-seven competition.

“They say the like my size, my speed, my agility and the way I move,” Skinner said. “Also, how I’m a hybrid as running back and receiver. And the way the offense just matches.”

Furrey is the former head coach at Limestone and he and Skinner have crossed paths before.

“He’s the reason I went to Limestone camp,” Skinner said. “I respect him pretty big. I do a lot of background checks on my coaches, so I really dig in on the coaches where I want to go. I have a lot of respect for him. No matter how small he was, he made it ten-plus years in the NFL. Just his mindset and how much he believes in me. He keeps it blunt with me. That’s what I like about him.”

There’s still the matter of the commitment to Cincinnati. That remains in place. Skinner will spend a couple of days there starting Saturday after he visits Kentucky on Friday.

“I told Cincy I love it there,” he said. “I love everything about the coaches, the program and they are putting in new facilities. I wanted to commit but also leave my recruitment open. I might love it there, but I still want to see other options because this is where I’m going to be the next four years and then get to the NFL, so it’s important to still look out for other choices and not just close my recruitment. I’m committed there and that’s where I want to be, but my eyes are open to other players and see what they’ve got to offer.”

The Gamecocks will get a chance to talk more directly with Skinner next week as he plans to visit there July 30.

Last season Skinner had 44 catches for 661 yards and 588 rushing yards. He scored a total of 15 touchdowns.