Four-star Georgia native on South Carolina: ‘They are at the top for me’

Class of 2027 defensive back Kennedy Green is a former Mississippi State commitment who reopened his recruitment this summer. The 6-2 safety has a long list of big-time schools competing for his services, and South Carolina is one of the top contenders.

In fact, according to a recent conversation between Green and Rivals’ Chad Simmons, the Gamecocks are the top program vying for the Georgia native’s pledge.

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Green told Simmons, “My interest in South Carolina is really high. They are at the top for me.”

Those feelings are based on the relationships Green has been able to make with folks in Columbia.

“The relationships I have built with everyone inside that building, from the coaches to the nutrition to the personnel, have them on top,” he said. “Coach (Torrian) Gray is real with his players, too. There is no front, just genuine. I respect that a lot.”

The talented defensive back is looking for more than just football when weighing his options.

Green told Simmons, “It’s about who’s consistent and real with me and my family…It’s not just about football.” He continued, “I want coaches and a program that support me as a man — education, life skills, everything. I want a place that helps me grow off the field—life after football matters a lot to me.”

Green took an unofficial visit to USC this spring after earning an offer in March. He returned to campus for another visit in June.

Though it will be a little different than other visits because of the location, Green plans to be in attendance when South Carolina faces Virginia Tech in the preseason opener in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He also plans to be back in Columbia multiple times this fall.

Fellow four-star Joshua Sam-Epelle is Green’s teammate at Douglasville High School. The Gamecocks are setting the pace for both Sam-Epelle and Green.

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Green also recently spoke with GamecockCentral’s Fisher Brewer, and you can read about that conversation here.

Brewer reports that South Carolina isn’t just doing a good job building a relationship with Green; the Gamecocks are pushing hardest for him, too. Florida State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Nebraska are also recruiting him hard. Because of that, the Gamecocks, Seminoles, Volunteers, Badgers, and Cornhuskers make up his current top five.

Joining South Carolina, Nebraska, Tennessee, Florida State, and Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State are involved, too. For Nebraska, former Gamecock Addison Williams is heading up Green’s recruitment. The Bulldogs, Crimson Tide, and Buckeyes have yet to make an official offer.

Following a full slate of unofficial visits this fall and official visits next spring, Green plans to commit next summer.

As things stand, the Rivals Industry Ranking considers Green to be the country’s No. 201 overall prospect. He’s also No. 26 in the talent-rich state of Georgia and No. 21 nationally among safeties.

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