South Carolina makes cut for four-star backer

Starkville (Miss.) four-star linebacker Willie Gay named a top five on Thursday and South Carolina made the cut, according to Gay's announcement on Twitter.

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Gay's recruitment has clearly taken on an SEC flavor as Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Michigan and LSU also made the cut.

While South Carolina rarely recruits the state of Mississippi, it has reason to continue to work the 6-foot-1, 203-pounder, who is ranked as Rivals.com as the No. 18 outside linebacker in the country.

"I was really excited,” said in late February when South Carolina offered. “I've said ever since I was a young guy that if I was going to play defense, then I wanted to play at South Carolina. I've been waiting for this offer ever since I started getting offers."

Gay said at the time that he plans to visit South Carolina this summer.

Last season he finished with 84 tackles, nine pass breakups, six sacks and four interceptions.

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