The state's top overall prospect decided not to wait.

Originally planning to make his decision towards the end of his senior season, Anderson (S.C.) T.L. Hanna class of 2019 five-star defensive end Zacch Pickens committed to South Carolina Friday.

"I just committed to South Carolina," Pickens said, confirming the news. "It was just somewhere I felt like I was home and they took me in and I totally respect that. I've known for a long time, a long time."

ALSO SEE: What are the Gamecocks getting in Pickens and how did it all go down? Go Inside the commit of the five-star prospect to South Carolina

It was a team recruiting effort from the Gamecocks as head coach Will Muschamp, defensive line coach Lance Thompson, defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson and linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler all had a strong role in landing the nation's No. 16 overall prospect.

"It's a pretty tight relationship, we text like every day," Pickens said of Muschamp. "He says he's going to play me right away when I'm a freshman and that made me want to jump on board."

Pickens will take his official visit to South Carolina the first weekend of June.

"It feels better [to be committed]," Pickens said. "It relieves all of the stress, everything is over and I feel confident in what I picked. I'm going to try to recruit all my boys there."

Pickens was last on South Carolina's campus earlier this spring for a cookout event.

Pickens, considered the No. 3 strongside defensive end in the country by Rivals, chooses South Carolina over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Forest.

It was believed throughout the process that Clemson and Georgia were the two other top contenders.

Pickens is the 12th commitment to Carolina's 2019 class.

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