Just read this on Rivals. Thought it would interest both Gamecock & Tiger fans.....



Calhoun County four-star offensive lineman Eric Mack, a 6-foot-4, 315-pounder out of St. Matthews, S.C., committed to the in-state Gamecocks in July. Two months later and he remains committed, but that may not last much longer.

Not after this past weekend. Not after his official visit to Auburn.

"The Auburn visit really changed my recruitment a lot," said Mack. "I see now that there are some things out there that I need to look into before I sign.

"I might decommit from South Carolina soon, open things back up."

Mack claimed Auburn his leader in the summer following a trip to the Plains for Big Cat Weekend. He committed to the Gamecocks shortly after, but has continued to keep a watch on Auburn.

After his latest visit, he said the Tigers are a big reason he may reopen his recruitment.

"Auburn has a lot to do with it," he said. "It's a family atmosphere down there. I went down there all the way from South Carolina, hung out with some of the players and they treated me like I was already a part of the team.

"Everybody was really friendly. I really like it down there. I could see myself being teammates with those guys."

One current Tiger Mack has built a friendship with is sophomore receiver Darvin Adams. Adams was Mack's player-host during the visit, and apparently did a good job for the Tigers all weekend. Not only did Adams catch six passes for 80 yards and three touchdowns in the 41-30-win over West Virginia, he helped Mack feel comfortable being far from home.

"Me and Darvin have known each other since the first time I went there," said Mack. "I got his number then and we've stayed in touch with each other. It was fun hanging out with him. We get along really good. He also had a great game and that was great to see."

Mack's visit to Auburn began early Saturday. He and his mother arrived on the Plains around noon.

"Everything went really good. We had a lot of fun," said Mack. "My mom loved it. She went on a tour Saturday and saw everything, talked to the academic people and stuff. The only thing she didn't get to see that she really wanted to is the eagle flying. She wanted to see that and so did I."

The pregame flight of Auburn's eagle was canceled due to severe weather in the area at game time. Kickoff was delayed for more than an hour as four inches of rain poured on Auburn. The delay wasn't a setback for Mack or his visit. It actually gave him a chance to see something he hadn't seen.

"The crowd was crazy. It rained and rained, and even while it was raining the whole student section didn't leave," he said. "They stayed out in the pouring-down rain and were going crazy … singing, cheering. I'd never seen anything like that.

"That showed me they are die-hard fans. No matter what, they are behind you and have your back."

Mack, rated by Rivals.com as the No. 6 offensive guard in the country and No. 10 overall recruit in the state, is being recruited to Auburn by assistant head coach/receivers coach Trooper Taylor. Mack and his mother spoke at-length with Taylor throughout the visit as well as head coach Gene Chizik.

"We talked to all of the coaches," he said. "Me and my mom talked to Coach Chizik Sunday morning before he went to church. I talked to him again that afternoon at practice.

"Me and my mom both really like Coach Chizik. We like all of the coaches."

And they both liked the visit.

"It was a 10 out of 10," said Mack. "I liked everything. From the time I got there until the flight out, it was great. I really liked it.

"Tiger Walk was off the chain. I was impressed with that. That was my first time seeing that and it was great. It was good to see them fight back and win. It was a great game. I didn't get to see the eagle fly, but hopefully I'll get to see it next time."

The next time could be in late November when Alabama comes to town. Mack said the only thing that would stop him from going back to Auburn would be a chance at a state title.

"If we don't get into the championship, I'm going back to Auburn," he said.

Distance, he said, isn't an issue. Not with Auburn.

"I don't think the distance to Auburn is a problem. It's not that far," he said. "In case of an emergency, I could get back home or they could come and get me.

"I really like it down there. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."