Class of 2020 four-star defensive tackle Alex Huntley has been committed to South Carolina since June, but he took an official visit to Virginia last week. On Wednesday afternoon he informed TheBigSpur.com that his commitment to the Gamecocks is firm and he will sign in February.

Huntley’s news is coupled with the news of his Hammond teammate, five-star defensive end Jordan Burch’s commitment to the Gamecocks. Huntley was in the first row of the audience at the signing ceremony, which was aired live on ESPNU.

Huntley jumped out of his seat when the announcement was made. He was just as surprised as everyone in the audience. Burch kept the decision strictly within his family.

“When he put on the hat (is when I found out),” Huntley said. “A couple people saw me, I had my sandstorm towel. When he put on the hat, that was real. I didn’t know he was going there. When he did I was ecstatic.”

Huntley has been committed to the Gamecocks for almost half a year, for his entire senior football season with Burch. He stated he served as more of a friend than a Gamecock recruiter.

“I didn’t talk about the whole recruiting thing with him too much,” Huntley said. I just let him have his space and be a friend.”

Burch commitment article | Burch insider notes (VIP) | Gamecocks 2020 commit list

When Huntley signs with the Gamecocks in February it will give South Carolina a 2020 defensive line class of Burch, the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect and No. 2 strong-side defensive end, Huntley, the nation’s No. 17 defensive tackle, four-star and No. 29 defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway and three-star and No. 79 defensive tackle Makius Scott.

“We’ll see in a couple years (what we can be), but I think this shows what the future will be and the people we’re getting, the athletes we’re getting,” Huntley said. “There is no excuses. We should be great, should be top tier. That’s the goal.”