Mack Talks Commitment

New South Carolina offensive line coach Eric Wolford knew when he took the job in January that if he was going to change the fortunes of the Gamecock offensive line it started on the recruiting trail. Wednesday night Wolford took another big step towards doing just that when Calhoun County four-star offensive line prospect Eric Mack gave his pledge. Read inside for the full story.

"I committed to South Carolina," the 6-3, 328 pound Mack said minutes after giving his pledge. "I called Coach Wolford and he was happy. He started yelling."

That type of intensity was nothing new to Mack. It was Wolford's effort in recruiting him that went a long way towards the Gamecocks landing Mack, who Scout.com ranks as the No. 5 guard in the nation.

"Coach Wolford," Mack says. "I think that he can develop me as a player the way I can be developed. And plus it's close to home so I can get to see my baby."

Mack had not yet talked to South Carolina recruiting coordinator Shane Beamer at the time of the interview, but as Mack's official recruiter of record he played a big part in the decision as well.

"I like Coach Beamer," Mack said. "He's real down to earth. He kept it real with me from the beginning."

Mack chose USC over offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Clemson, North Carolina, NC State and Georgia Tech, among others.

While most believed the Gamecocks had been in the lead for Mack for some time, the talented prospect maintained he would wait until National Signing Day to make a decision.

"I really can't say," Mack responded when asked why he decided to go ahead and commit. "I really was just feeling it at the moment."

He says he had been feeling that way for four days. Mack estimates he has been on eight unofficial visits to Columbia. Mack camped at USC in mid June. He confirmed what sources told GamecockAnthem.com at the time, that he nearly committed to the Gamecocks just days after that visit but decided to wait a little while longer. He and his mother visited USC just days later.

Mack was back on campus last week visiting former Calhoun County star and current Gamecock wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. He says that the opportunity to play with Jeffery at the next level played a part in his decision.

"He was just basically was telling me how he wanted to play with me again with a team on the next level," Mack said. "And he was telling me how he thought I would make a big impact on the offensive line."

Mack will try to make that impact with the help of fellow offensive line commitments A.J. Cann, Tramell Williams, Cody Gibson, Ronald Patrick, Corey Robinson and Elliot Williams.

While Mack says he still could take some official visits to other programs this fall, he will now turn his attention to recruiting other players to join him in Columbia, namely Marcus Lattimore.

Mack maintains a solid relationship with the five-star running back from Byrnes and believes that Lattimore running behind him and the other commitments would make for a lethal combination.

"I mean it would just be trouble for the team that we're playing," he joked.

With the group of guys potentially coming in along with him, Mack wanted to let the Gamecock fans know to expect big things.

"When I get there, just be ready for a winning streak."