1/28/2016 football Edit

Staley on Gamecocks offer: 'It was an amazing feeling'

Wes Mitchell • GamecockScoop

Football/Recruiting Insider

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South Carolina offered Damani Staley last week.

South Carolina last Friday became the first program to offer Columbia (S.C.) Ridge View class of 2017 linebacker Damani Staley, and the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is plenty familiar with the school.

Staley's father is South Carolina running back great Duce Staley.

"It was an amazing feeling, especially because it was one of my favorite schools and one of my dream schools to always go to," the younger Staley said. "I like the organization, especially football, and the school. I want to major in sports medicine."

South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp and co-offensive coordinator Kurt Roper were by the school that day and delivered the news of the offer to Ridge View head coach Perry Parks.

"I think he's going to be a great coach for Carolina, throughout all the adjustments they've been through," Staley said. "I think he's going to make it a lot better."

Staley says his dad was thrilled with the Carolina offer, but wasn't planning on pushing him to don the garnet and black.

"Of course he was excited and happy," Staley said. "But he told me, 'It's your decision, you can wait for others, because there are other offers to come. At the end of the day, it's always your choice.'"

Staley proved prophetic as East Carolina and Georgia Tech have since jumped in with offers and schools like Alabama, Clemson and Florida, among others, have started showing attention.

Staley was at several Carolina home games this past season and plans to return to campus for a visit on Feb. 13.

"USC is No. 1," Staley said. "I like how they do things. For sports medicine, I hear they do great with that, especially."

Staley, who had 21 sacks and 88 tackles as a junior, is being recruited to Carolina as an outside linebacker.

Does he have a timetable?

"I'm going to wait it out for now," Staley said. "I might make a decision sometime this summer, but I want to make a couple of visits first."

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