Recruiting roundup: Cavin Ridley recants on South Carolina commitment
After shocking reporters at the Under Armour All-America game with the announcement of a commitment to South Carolina at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl on Saturday, it only took two days for Deerfield Beach four-star wide receiver Cavin Ridley to recant that decision.
“I’ve decided that I need more time to make this extremely critical decision about my future,” Ridley said in a statement on Twitter on Monday. “If I’m able to make a solid decision [before] the spring semester starts, I will. If not, I will consider giving up my early enrollee status to gather more information to [aid] me in my decision.
“I would like to truly apologize to the South Carolina coaches and fans and just pray that you guys understand what I am going through.”
Ridley also pointed to coaching changes with all his finalists as making the process “stressful and challenging.”
Ridley, younger brother of star Alabama freshman receiver Calvin, had let reporters know he committed to South Carolina as they approached him for postgame interviews avoiding the media spectacle of a live announcement on the national telecast.
Ridley originally notified new Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp and defensive coordinator Travaris “T-Rob” Robinson Friday night before his all-star appearance.
So Ridley is back on the market in just another anecdote that typifies the recruiting madness of the final month before National Signing Day.
▪ Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Sam Bruce, a UM commitment since July 2014, made some interesting comments, noting “it’s going to make a factor” in his recruitment whether UM wide receivers coach Kevin Beard is retained on Mark Richt’s staff.
“There’s no guarantee that I would leave [UM], but it’ll be something to definitely think about,” Bruce said.
Bruce will give the Hurricanes his final official visit (Jan. 29) before National Signing Day. Before that, he will take trips to South Carolina on Jan. 15 and UF on Jan. 22. He visited Ohio State in October.
▪ Flanagan wide receiver Dredrick Snelson said he’s currently a soft commit to Minnesota and will visit other schools.
He currently has visits scheduled to UCF on Jan. 15 and Maryland on Jan. 22. Snelson, who was committed to UM as a junior at Plantation American Heritage, previously had a trip to Wisconsin planned for Jan. 29 but has since opted not to take that visit and will replace it with another school to be determined.
▪ Gulliver wide receiver and UM commit Dionte Mullins, who had the highlight of the game with a one-handed touchdown catch, remains firm in his commitment to the Canes.
It was a gratifying moment for Mullins, who sat out his entire senior season because of academic ineligibility.
“I never gave up, and I never will give up,” Mullins said. “I’ve just got that in me.”
As far as making progress academically in order to qualify at UM, Mullins said he’s on track and “everything’s pretty good right now.”
▪ The two UM early enrollees participating in the Under Armour game, Palmetto quarterback Jack Allison and Vero Beach defensive end Patrick Bethel, expressed eagerness to get their college careers started.
“I’m super excited,” said Allison, who threw the touchdown to Mullins. “It’s a dream come true to play Division I football.”
Allison said he will arrive in Coral Gables on Wednesday before the spring semester, which begins on Monday. Bethel, who committed after a December visit, is tentatively set to get to campus on Friday.
“After the visit, I prayed on things,” said Bethel, who recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter. “My heart’s in Miami. I’m happy with the decision.”
▪ Flanagan linebacker Devin Bush Jr. left for Michigan on Monday. “It’s bittersweet right now, but I can’t wait to start a new chapter in my life,” he told the Miami Herald on Saturday.
▪ Hallandale wide receiver Joshua Hammond also played and is set to enroll for the spring semester at UF.
This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 10:28 PM with the headline "Recruiting roundup: Cavin Ridley recants on South Carolina commitment."