'Happy to be a Gamecock'

South Carolina special teams coach John Butler has his first commitment as a Gamecock. Cairo (Ga.) class of 2012 DB T.J. Gurley chose South Carolina Monday over offers from Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State among others.

"It feels good," Gurley says about being a Gamecock. "I felt good about it, so I decided to get it out of the way."

The 5-foot-10, 179-pound three-star prospect has developed a good relationship with his recruiter Butler.

"It's real good, we're close," Gurley says. "We joke around and laugh a lot. We talk about anything. We're just real close. He's real cool to me."

Gurley says he's known he was going to be a Gamecock since a recent visit to Columbia.

"I liked all the coaches, the players, the program, everything," Gurley said. "At South Carolina, the campus -- everything is just good."

The Gamecocks have been busy in Georgia. Gurley is the sixth prospect from the Peach State to verbally commit to South Carolina.

While Gurley doesn't know any of the other commitments, he does know a prospect who may soon join the fold.

"I know Chaz Elder," Gurley said. "I think he's going to come along. I haven't talked to him or anything, but seeing all the reports and everything I think he's going to commit to us too." Gurley is ranked the No. 59 CB in the country by Scout.com but has been told he'll play as an inside-the-box safety and nickelback at South Carolina.

"I like to play physical and [to give] 110 percent," he says. "I like to be smart out there on the field. I like to know where everything is going around me. I like to bring it; I like to hit. I like to play hard every play. I like to give my all."

Gurley says he expects South Carolina to win the conference this season.

"I'm happy to be a Gamecock," he says.

Gurley is South Carolina's 16th commitment of the 2012 class.