Top 100 linebacker Larenz Bryant commits to South Carolina

South Carolina landed its second top-100 recruit for the upcoming class on Monday after Charlotte (N.C.) linebacker Larenz Bryant committed to the Gamecocks, multiple sites reported.

The 6-1, 212-pounder was considered a South Carolina lean for most of the recruiting process but seriously considered Clemson and Virginia. Bryant also held offers from Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech, among others.

Ranked 49th overall by MaxPreps in the latest 2013 rankings, Bryant has been well-known to those around the state and left a big impression by beating out several other top prospects for MVP honors at the Charlotte Nike Camp with a mix of shutdown skills in the passing game and nice pass rushing techniques during drills. He will likely bulk up before seeing the field in Columbia but is a big pick up for the program that also has a commitment from another big time linebacker in Matt Rolin.

The four-star recently visited the program earlier this month and that appeared to be all that he needed to pull the trigger on a commitment, the 18th overall for the Gamecocks. Also ranked as a top-10 prospect at running back, Bryant had over 140 tackles defensively and 1,300 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns on offense.