‘They want me so bad.’ Gamecocks stay after talented in-state receiver, FSU commitment

South Carolina continues to recruit Rock Hill receiver Malik Clark despite his recent commitment to Florida State.

Clark on Friday night said that USC receivers coach Mike Furrey and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains have stayed in contact with him over the past few weeks. The four-star prospect announced his verbal commitment to the Seminoles on July 25.

Clark picked FSU over South Carolina and North Carolina in a ceremony at his school.

“It’s not every day, but they are checking up on me to see how I am doing,” Clark said of USC after Rock Hill High competed in a five-team scrimmage at Blythewood High School. “... They’re saying I’ve always got a spot at home and it’s always better to stay home and I appreciate it for them believing in me so much, even after I’m committed. They want me so bad on their team.”

Clark’s decision was a bit of a surprise, as most recruiting analysts predicted USC to land him before his announcement. The Gamecocks were hoping add Clark to an already strong receivers commitment group that includes South Florence’s Jayden Sellers and out-of-state players Brian Rowe (NC) and Lex Cyrus (Pa.). A few days after missing out on Clark, USC offered Christ Church receiver Jackson Repp.

The Gamecocks aren’t the only school that’s stayed in touch, as North Carolina receivers coach Lonnie Galloway also remains interested.

“I’ve been talking to Galloway a little bit,” Clark said. “He’s still contacting me, talking to me. My relationship with him is great, too. I like him as a coach and appreciate everything he’s done for me.”

During his announcement, Clark said one of reasons he picked FSU was the trajectory of the program. The Seminoles went 13-0 and won the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in 2023, and he believes they will make a run at the college football playoffs again this season.

Clark plans to make a couple visits during the season to FSU, including Sept. 2 against Boston College. He said he isn’t sure if he will take any other visits to USC or UNC.

The 6-foot-2 Clark looked strong Friday night in the Bearcats’ preseason opener. He caught three touchdown passes combined in the matchups with Blythewood, Camden, North Augusta and Catawba Ridge. Two of the touchdowns came on deep passes.

Clark is coming off a junior season in which he caught 46 passes for 800 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Bearcats went 6-5 last year, their first winning season since 2019. They have a new coach in Randy Birch, a former Gaffney assistant. Former USC quarterback Jake Bentley is an assistant coach with Rock Hill.

The Bearcats open the season Aug. 23 on the road at River Bluff.

“My goals are to break all the records at the school and bring a state championship back home,” Clark said.