South Carolina was a little late to get heated up with defensive end Jayden Broadie of Rolesville, N.C., but that made no difference in the end as Broadie announced a commitment to the Gamecocks on Saturday night, capping a four day stretch for four commitments for Shane Beamer.

The Gamecocks had not done much recruiting of Broadie (6-3, 235) until defensive ends coach Deion Barnes brought him in for a camp workout last month. Barnes liked what he saw from Broadie in action, and he offered after that camp visit. From there, Barnes continued to build the relationship with Broadie until it reached the commitment point.

“Ever since I was there, it’s been constant communication,” Broadie said. “The coaches love me. They make me feel like a priority. And the relationships that I’ve built with the staff down there, it make me feel like home to me. It makes me feel like I want to be there.”

Broadie is the 17th commitment for the class, and the first at his position, meaning his is the first commitment for Barnes in his first recruiting campaign with the Gamecocks.

“Coach Barnes, I’m his first edge recruit, so he basically feels like I’m a priority and can come in and make an immediate impact on the defense,” Broadie said. “So that’s one thing that led to my decision. And the development, with him coming over from Penn State, the players that he produced and that he’s coached. Me getting to work with him in person at the camp a few weeks ago, getting to see his energy and how he operates everything and just building that relationship with him, that stuff led to my commitment.”

Broadie has been watching this week as one piece after another has fallen into place with the USC commitment class, especially on defense, where he is the third commitment for that side of the ball this week.

“They have some really good players down there,” Broadie said. “They have two safeties that are committed there, so their crew is going good and just building the program. We’re going to be real contenders, playoff contenders, and compete for the national championship.”