Gamecocks land four-star LB

South Carolina added one of its top targets to its 2013 commitment list Monday when Vance (Charlotte, N.C.) four-star LB Larenz Bryant gave his pledge to the Gamecocks.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Bryant chose South Carolina over offers Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Virginia and Virginia Tech, among others.

Bryant was considered a South Carolina lean early in his recruitment but the Gamecocks fell out of favor when his recruiter of record Jay Graham went to Tennessee and then his recruiter Jeep Hunter was let go.

Shawn Elliott took over Bryant's recruitment and the Gamecocks steadily climbed his public list, often being listed as second, at first behind Clemson and then behind Virginia.

Bryant visited Columbia two weekends ago when the Gamecocks seemingly made their final move.

Bryant gives the Gamecocks another four-star linebacker, to go along with the nation's No. 13-ranked OLB Matt Rolin, and closes out the best linebacker class the Gamecocks have landed in some time -- and at a time when they really needed linebackers.

Bryant, now the No. 7-ranked OLB in the country, has continued to climb in the rankings and turned in a big-time performance at the Charlotte NFTC camp.

Scout.com recruiting analyst Chad Simmons said of Bryant:

Bryant has played a lot of linebacker and running back on the high school level, but he is going to be playing defense in college. He has good speed sideline to sideline and he can make plays behind the line of scrimmage, in space one-on-one, and he is solid in coverage. He is still a lean 210 pounds, so he needs to add weight, get stronger, and tackle more through the opponent. He is a quick linebacker with good range.

Bryant totaled 144 tackles at linebacker and 1,300 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns at running back during his junior season.

Bryant is South Carolina's 18th commitment of the 2013 class.