South Carolina nabs 2024 three-star defender out of Georgia for latest commit

South Carolina has added another Georgia product to its 2024 class.

Three-star defender David Bucey of Savannah Christian School announced his commitment to USC on Monday night over offers that included Georgia Tech, Iowa State, West Virginia, Tulane, Appalachian State, and others.

Bucey was in Columbia for a prospect camp earlier this month and is scheduled to return to South Carolina for an official visit this weekend. He’s currently rated the No. 98 linebacker prospect in the 2024 class, per 247Sports. South Carolina is recruiting him as a safety.

As a junior, Bucey was named the Georgia 3-AAA Athlete of the Year, helping Savannah Christian to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. He played both ways last fall, notching 100 tackles — 18 for a loss — five interceptions and four sacks, along with another 747 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

Bucey is the second Savannah area product to land in the Gamecocks’ 2024 class along with four-star tight end Michael Smith (Calvary Day School)

Bucey’s commitment could also stand to have ramifications beyond this year’s recruiting cycle. He’s teammates with 2025 five-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin — the No. 1 player in next year’s class, per the 247Sports Composite. South Carolina has been on Griffin heavily for the last year-plus and should be in the mix for his services whenever decision time comes.

South Carolina football 2024 commits

July 2, 2022: QB Dante Reno — Windsor, Conn.

Jan. 22: OT Kam Pringle — Dorchester, SC

Jan. 24: TE Michael Smith — Savannah, GA

Jan. 27: LB Wendell Gregory — Marietta, GA

Feb. 3: WR Mazeo Bennett — Greenville, SC

March 31: OL Blake Franks — Greenville, SC

April 14: OL Josiah Thompson — Dillon, SC

April 19: DB Kelvin Hunter — Florence, SC

April 19: CB Braydon Lee — Upper Marlboro, MD

June 12: P Mason Love — Riverside, Missouri

June 17: LB Fred Johnson — Norfolk, Va.

June 23: RB Matthew Fuller — Jesup, Ga.

June 26: DB David Bucey — Savannah, Ga.

Savannah Christian’s David Bucey leaps over an Island’s defender and comes down with the catch during a game on Aug. 26, 2022. Kyunnie Shuman/USA TODAY NETWORK
Savannah Christian’s David Bucey leaps over an Island’s defender and comes down with the catch during a game on Aug. 26, 2022. Kyunnie Shuman/USA TODAY NETWORK