Broome football running back Jaylen McGill picks up South Carolina offer
Broome rising sophomore running back Jaylen McGill received an offer from South Carolina football, his second Power 5 offer and eighth overall — in a list that includes Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Costal Carolina, Appalachian State and others.
"It just feels like a dream come true. I mean, it's every kid's dream to go to a big-time college and go to the NFL and it feels like I have the chance to do it. So I'm going to make the most out of it," the 5-foot-10, 185-pound McGill told the Spartanburg Herald-Journal on Sunday.
Blessings ✞
After a great spring game and conversation with @MoHard20, I am beyond blessed to announce I have received an offer from the University of South Carolina! ❤️🤙🏼#SpursUp @Broome_Football @GamecockFB pic.twitter.com/YdytDR4HtA— Jaylen McGill “2” (@mcgilljaylen2) May 19, 2023
McGill rushed for 23 touchdowns, and 1,036 yards on 142 rushes — an average of 7.3 yards a carry — as a freshman while missing one game due to illness. He was also named to the MaxPreps freshmen All-American first team and the Spartanburg Herald-Journal All-Area first team.
More impactful than his stats, McGill helped lead Broome (6-5) to an unexpected winning season, its first since 2017. The Centurions were also just one win away from its first region championship since 2013.
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For McGill, one of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been his connection to Broome and his desire to prove that anyone from anywhere can breakthrough if they work hard enough, "I'm just trying to pave the road, showing that you can make it from anywhere," McGill said.
Adding that he doesn't feel the need to look to transfer to another high school saying, "I feel like I'm doing better than most of the people at the bigger schools."
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With McGill, 6-6 senior offensive lineman Steven O'Dell — who's picked up offers from FCS schools Furman and Wofford, as well as FBS program Middle Tennessee State — and dual-threat quarterback Kamajay Brackett-Brannon returning in 2023, Broome have a chance to improve even more.
"The expectation is to take the next step. Our guys last year did a great job of getting us to play in a big ball game and I think the expectation this year is to take that next step up and continue to move forward," said coach Lynn Fleming. "These guys are hungry, they've had a great offseason and they're excited."
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: South Carolina football offers Broome running back Jaylen McGill