The assist goes to former USC receiver Sidney Rice, Holmes' favorite player.

"I wasn't a Gamecocks fan growing up, but I started pulling for them because of Sidney Rice," Holmes said. "Because of him, it really wasn't a hard decision. I was also considering Kentucky, Michigan State and Buffalo.

"I talked with USC assistant coach Ellis Johnson around 8:34 or 9 Friday night and told him I was taking their offer. I think it was a good choice because I will fit in well with the offense they run."

In Holmes, the Gamecocks are getting a receiver in the same mold as Rice -- a big, strong and fast wideout with good hands and the ability to go over defenders and catch the ball. Holmes is 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds. Rice, who plays for Minnesota, is 6-4, 202.

Rice, a Gaffney High School product, holds USC's career record for touchdown catches with 23. He was picked 44th in the 2007 NFL draft.

Holmes caught 41 passes for 968 yards -- an average of 23.6 yards per catch -- and six TDs last season. His longest catch covered 80 yards.

Verbal commitments are non-binding, but Homes said he will stick with his choice. USC signed two other local wide receiver candidates for this season, Chester's C.C. Whitlock and Rock Hill's Tori Childers.