Four-star WR Lex Cyrus details decision to choose South Carolina over Penn State

For much of the recruiting process most considered new South Carolina wide receiver commit Lex Cyrus a near lock to end up at Penn State.

But after taking official visits to both schools and then a down-the-wire decision between the two that went into Wednesday night, Cyrus committed to the Gamecocks on Thursday afternoon.

“It was super close,” Cyrus said. “I definitely feel very relieved right now. It’s been a lot of pressure these last couple of weeks. A lot of nervousness. But, it’s out now. I’m a Gamecock. And it’s good to just be able to focus on the season coming up.”

In addition to the two finalists, he also had scholarship offers from Auburn, Maryland, Miami, Oregon, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M, among others.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Harrisburg (Pa.) Susquehanna Township standout goes to high school about an hour and a half from Happy Valley but found what he was looking for in Columbia where he’ll be coached by wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, who was also his recruiter of record.

“It was really just the way I felt,” Cyrus said. “It really felt like a family. Being there talking to the coaches and getting to talk to players on the team it really just felt like home. As well as other commits that are excited to get to work at the same time I am. It probably would be easier for my family to come see me play and all (at Penn State), but I feel like they’re going to come see me wherever. So, just having an opportunity to go somewhere else and grow, I feel like I needed to take that.”

Cyrus was specifically asked if NIL and the resources for that at South Carolina was a big part in his decision but he pointed to other aspects of the program.

“It was a part of the process, but I wouldn’t say that was a factor in my decision,” Cyrus said. “It’s definitely there. It was a great thing that they added, players being able to make money. I’m definitely excited to make some money. But as far as just picking the school, it was really just because of South Carolina, the people, the coaching staff, the team; I felt so at home there.”

Cyrus, the third receiver to join the Gamecocks’ 2025 class, is now the highest ranked pledge on the commit list.

The On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average of the four major recruiting media sites, ranks Cyrus as the No. 219 overall prospect, the No. 26 WR, and the No. 7 prospect in Pennsylvania.

On3’s separate rankings are even higher on him, ranking Cyrus as the No. 109 overall prospect, No. 16 WR, and No. 5 prospect in PA. Both sets of rankings have him as the top receiver in the state.

A state champion in track and field, Cyrus has been timed at 10.41 seconds in the 100-meter dash and is the PIAA District 3 and Mid Penn Conference record holder in the event.

As a junior, he tallied 67 catches for 1,115 yards and 13 touchdowns on the football field.

What are the Gamecocks getting in the big-play receiver?

“Other than speed, man, just being an all-around playmaker and a great leader and teammate for the team,” Cyrus said. “That’s probably a program that needs me going there. You know, I want to go there and try to change it around. I want to win. I feel like it’s going to be a great program when I get there.”

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