Jordan Smith Commits to South Carolina: Gamecocks Beat Georgia for 4-Star DE

The state of Georgia has an abundance of 5- and 4-star talent in the class of 2015, and the in-state Bulldogs are in the hunt for many of them. But one of the state's top 25 prospects is headed to an SEC East rival—South Carolina.

Jordan Smith, a 4-star defensive end from Lithonia, Georgia, committed to South Carolina on Wednesday afternoon. He is the Gamecocks' 13th commitment for their class of 2016, which is now ranked No. 30 nationally.

Smith had an impressive list of 24 scholarship offers, including ones from Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

The 6'6" defensive end told reporters he liked several aspects of South Carolina, and they weren't limited to the football field.

"First, Coach (Jon) Hoke and the new defensive scheme he is putting in," Smith said, according to Tony Morrell of 247Sports. "Also, I just love South Carolina. I love the facilities, the place, Columbia, everything. ... Once I started looking at academics, scheme, everything, then I knew South Carolina was the choice."

South Carolina currently has two other defensive ends from Lithonia High School, where Smith plays, on its roster—senior Cedrick Cooper and sophomore David Johnson.

The Gamecocks made up plenty of ground in a short amount of time to snag a commitment from Smith. The talented defensive end released his list of top 10 schools in June, and South Carolina was fourth behind Clemson, Georgia and Alabama.

Smith made an unofficial visit to South Carolina later in June and named the school his new leader July 20.

"It’s South Carolina, then Georgia, Clemson, Florida and Tennessee in that order," Smith told JC Shurburtt of 247Sports. "(The Gamecocks) have taken the lead because I see that I can make an early impact there and be an early contributor."

Nine days later, he made it official with the Gamecocks.

According to Rusty Mansell of 247Sports, Smith has plenty of potential, but he needs to add some pounds to his tall frame. He currently weighs around 220 pounds—a small number for a future SEC defensive end.

"He has a 1 percent body to me," Mansell wrote in April. "I use that term, because he is a very small percentage of guys that can rush the passer in a 6'6" body. He is long and ridiculous reach in his wingspan. He is however around 215-220 pounds right now, and needs to get a lot stronger."

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is an on-call college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.