South Carolina was one of three finalists heading into Georgia Military College three-star cornerback D.J. Daniel's announcement Thursday, but most assumed the 6-foot, 180-pounder was headed to Georgia.

That was until the top 2019 junior college target pulled out a South Carolina hat and placed it on his head, committing to the Gamecocks at a ceremony among family, friends and media.

"It was just a feeling," Daniel explained in an interview with UGASports.com's Jake Reuse. "God just kept giving me signs and signs and signs. I feel like I chose South Carolina, just being me, and not what everybody else wanted -- what did I want."

South Carolina was the first FBS offer for Daniel back in the spring, but he saw his recruitment hit another level this summer as word got out about the talented defender.

Defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson served as his recruiter of record with the Gamecocks landing Daniel over finalists Georgia and Kentucky.

"Just the success that they have had with JUCO players, seeing what they have done, I feel like that played a big role into it too, me doing my research into it and them showing me that," Daniel said. "Just (Robinson) being straightforward, really meant something to me. The community there, the support system they have with the coaches, it played a big role."

Daniel, who is originally from Spalding High in Griffin, Ga., says he hopes to take his game to the next level this season.

"Competing with the best," Daniel said. "I'm not even close to my prime yet. I just want to keep competing and competing, to not just make me better, but to make my teammates better. I'm chasing the dream."

Daniel will have two years to play two for the Gamecocks.

He also had a message for the South Carolina faithful: "Spurs Up!"