Why South Carolina is No. 1 for running back recruit Daniel Hill

South Carolina has been a been a major player with running back Daniel Hill of Meridian, Mississippi since last season.

He visited for the Tennessee game and saw a Gamecock offense score on every possession. He returned for the spring game and got a glimpse of what the offense will look like under new coordinator Dowell Loggains.

Hill (6-1, 215) will return to USC again for his official visit June 30. He will visit Auburn this coming weekend followed by Alabama the next weekend. The Class of 2024 tailback take a weekend off before coming to USC with his parents and younger brother.

On Wednesday, Hill made an unofficial visit to LSU.

“I watched camp and was messing with the coach and stuff like that,” Hill said. “They were my first offer, so they have a special place in my heart.”

But South Carolina has his heart at this point.

“South Carolina is number one right now,” Hill said. “I love South Carolina, and South Carolina loves me. When the time comes, I’ll make a decision and we’ll see where I go.”

Asked what he loves most about the Gamecock program, Hill really couldn’t pinpoint one thing.

“Everything,” he said. “I can’t even explain. It’s just everything. Opportunity to play early. Being my own legacy. Not having to go to a school where they expect you to be good. I feel like South Carolina is a place I can go in and really make a difference.”

Hill is one of a small number of running backs the Gamecocks are pursuing.

Braylen Russell was in for his official visit last weekend. Another tailback target, Anthony Carrie, said Wednesday he has not set an official visit yet with the Gamecocks.

“Trying to figure things out,” he said.

He will visit Michigan State this weekend followed by North Carolina.