Muschamp: Gamecocks counting on Skai Moore in 2017

South Carolina is expected to welcome back 10 defensive players who started at least one game last season.

The Gamecocks will also lean on a familiar face with 24 career starts who watched the 2016 season.

“Getting Skai Moore back on defense is really going to help us,” Muschamp said on Saturday.

The senior linebacker appeared with several returning members of the football team at halftime of Saturday’s USC men’s basketball game against Ole Miss at Colonial Life Arena. He confirmed to The State he intends to play his senior season and his neck injury feels completely healed.

Moore’s return will be a boost. The Florida native led the Gamecocks in tackles from 2013-2015. His best year was his junior campaign, when he had 110 tackles.

He briefly intended to turn pro after the 2015 season, but decided to return before learning a disc injury would require season-ending neck surgery.

Muschamp, who’s busy putting the finishing touches on the 2017 signing class, said recruiting efforts aren’t limited to high school prospects.

“You’re also recruiting some of the guys on your on team to come back,” he said. “It never stops.”

South Carolina has promoted Moore’s return with a video on social media.

This story was originally published January 19, 2017 at 12:29 AM with the headline "Muschamp: Gamecocks counting on Skai Moore in 2017."