SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Hutchinson (Kan.) CC junior college offensive tackle Jazston Turnetine committed to South Carolina Sunday as he completed his official visit.

"I chose them because they showed me they actually cared about me. They went from family to academics. It wasn't much about football," Turnetine told GamecockCentral.com. "The whole visit was about academics and family. That's my key point. Right now, I need academics, because I'm a JUCO. I need my family. They're three hours away from the house, so that's easy on them.

The environment and the way Will Muschamp runs his program really stood out to Turnetine.



"The atmosphere, the coaches, they showed me they care about the players," he said. "They don't just push you out there and you're another body on the field. They care."



*** Inside the commitment: More on new pledge Jazston Turnetine ***

The 6-foot-7, 339-pound prospect was recruited to Carolina by offensive line coach Eric Wolford.

"Coach Wolford's an ecstatic guy," Turnetine said. "I'm used to pretty much all the (type) coaches at this point and I got a good vibe from him. He looks like he's not going to bullcrap me and lie to me and be straight everywhere and that's what I like."



Turnetine chooses the Gamecocks over offers from Arizona, Houston, Missouri, TCU and West Virginia. He's projected to graduate in December and enroll at South Carolina in January with three years to play two.



Turnetine is the eighth commitment to Carolina's 2020 class. He has not yet been ranked by Rivals.com.