Under-the-radar receiver from SC commits to Gamecocks
Kylic Horton went from an unknown prospect to South Carolina commitment in a matter of a few months.
Horton, who plays for Clarendon Hall’s 8-man football program in Summerton, verbally committed to Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks on Saturday.
The 6-foot-4 Horton is being recruited as a receiver and attended a USC camp earlier this month. He ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and picked up an offer from Gamecocks receivers coach Justin Stepp.
After the Gamecocks’ offer, Horton picked up offers from Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina and took visits to all three places before he made his commitment to USC. According to Clarendon Hall coach Anthony Reitenour, Horton drove to Columbia and told Beamer in person Friday morning of his commitment before going to Wake Forest.
“It’s overwhelming right now,” Horton said. “It’s emotional. I talked to my parents and they saw me cry a little bit about it. I just knew Carolina was the place to be.”
Horton also plays in the secondary for Clarendon Hall, and Reitenour told The State earlier this month that Horton can play on either side of the ball in college. During his time at USC camp, he worked with Stepp and Gamecocks defensive backs coach Torrian Gray.
In nine games this season, he had 41 receptions for 898 yards and 18 receiving TDs, ran for two scores, returned four kickoffs for touchdowns and also had two scores on defense.
“He is our kicker, our punter — he basically does it all for us,” Reitenour said. “He is a freak of nature. The kid is something special. I’m glad he is finally getting out there and getting seen. People have noticed, yeah he plays eight-man football but he is very talented.”
Horton is a three-sport standout at Clarendon Hall, plays baseball and is member of the school’s 2020 state championship basketball program. He averaged 16 points in championship season and 36 points and 17 rebounds a game this year in a COVID-shortened year.
Reitenour played high school football with Horton’s father and has known Kylic for a long time. He has been impressed with his development since he arrived at Clarendon Hall.
“It has been incredible. I am very proud of him and love him to death,” Reitenour said. “He is a great kid, great character and is a leader in every aspect. I am excited to see what happens to him in the future. This could be one to make a difference wherever he goes, and on any stage. There is nothing that his kid can’t do.”
Horton’s announcement gives Gamecocks’ nine known commitments for Class of 2022. There have been a few others that have told Beamer their commitments but haven’t publicly announced yet. The Gamecocks recruiting class is ranked No. 32 by 247Sports Composite.
Four new commitments for Gamecocks
Horton was one of four new commitments for Beamer’s Gamecocks this weekend, with several other decisions still not public.
Three-star Florida safety Anthony Rose re-committed to USC on Sunday after previously backing off his pledge May 12. High school offensive lineman Cason Henry, from Marietta, Georgia, committed Saturday for the 2022 class.
Kansas defensive back transfer Karon Prunty on Saturday announced he would be joining the Gamecocks. He’s expected to join the roster by August and will be eligible to play this season.
— Phil Kornblut contributed to this report.
South Carolina Class of 2022 Commitments
Braden Davis, QB
Kylic Horton, WR
Grayson Mains, OT
Cason Henry, OT
Jamaal Whyce, DL
Donovan Westmoreland, LB
Peyton Williams, S
Kajuan Banks, S
Jy’Vonte McClendon, S
Anthony Rose, S
This story was originally published June 26, 2021 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Under-the-radar receiver from SC commits to Gamecocks."
