The Carolina’s are going head-to-head in recruiting battles more and more of late and the newest, and perhaps the biggest one is over class of 2012 player Curt Britt. A right-handed pitcher and first baseman, Britt is ranked the No. 17 player in the country by Perfect Game. As things stand today, Britt has a top two of South Carolina and North Carolina but the top teams in the country are vying for his services.
Britt has a variety of schools recruiting him at the moment and has brought in plenty of early offers. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder mentioned East Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, and Clemson as schools he is interested in.
However, it is the Carolinas that stand out.
“It’s a two-headed race between North Carolina and South Carolina,” Britt said. “I’m going to visit other schools but eventually, I’m just going to say, ‘No, but thank you anyway.’ Now it’s just between North and South (Carolina). Both head coaches have a great track record. They’re big D-1 schools known for their sports and especially baseball. Academically, they’re both some of the top universities in the nation.”
A Laurinburg, N.C. native, Britt doesn’t want to get too far away from home so his parents can travel to see him play.
“I want to be able to play as a true freshman and I know it’s hard but that’s my ultimate goal,” Britt said. “I want to be comfortable wherever I commit and wherever I sign. I want to enjoy it. I want to win and it’s every college player’s dream to go to Omaha. That’s what I want to be a part of.”
Britt attends Scotland High School, the same school where current USC player
Parker Bangs prepped. His father, Tommy Britt, is the head coach, a position he has held for 18 seasons now. The team missed the playoffs this season for just the second time in his tenure.
“Over the winter when (Bangs) was home, he came out and worked out with our high school team,” Britt said. “We sat in the parking lot and I was asking him questions left and right. We talked about USC, the coaching staff, and what it’s like to play there. We talked for a good hour.”
Britt and his parents visited South Carolina on Saturday for the final game of the regular season against Florida. The Gamecocks pulled out a victory in front of a near-capacity crowd to give them a bit of momentum heading into the Southeastern Conference Tournament, which starts on Wednesday.
“I love the coaches and have gotten along with them really well,” Britt said. “I feel really comfortable being around them and asking them question. They have an answer for everything and have really impressed me the last couple of months they’ve been recruiting me.”
Britt arrived at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to begin to spend the day with the coaches. He took a tour of the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center, the campus, and the baseball facilities.
“I really didn’t expect the campus to be in the heart of the city,” Britt said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be much of a campus but it was beautiful. The academic center was top notch. It’s unreal for student-athletes to be able to get their work done.”
This was far from the first time that Britt has been to campus though. He’s come for camps and also on the summer travel tour with his Canes baseball squad, which was recently named the number two team in the country by Perfect Game.
“I went to a camp over a year ago and was blown away at the facilities and all that South Carolina has to offer,” Britt said. “I’ve always loved the SEC in every sport and I think the atmosphere, fan support, teams, and talent is unreal in the conference.”
Britt typically plays up on the U17 team with class of 2012 target
Landon Lassiter. However, when the World Wood Bat Association tournament arrives in June, they will team up with current commitment
Max Schrock on the U16 team. One of the centerpieces of a team with so much talent, Britt often talks with his teammates about recruiting.
“We all talk a lot about whatever schools,” Britt said. “My friends text me every day about the schools they’re committed to. Me and Landon Lassiter were talking at the game (Saturday) about what we want to do and where we want to go. It’s helpful advice talking to the people my age who are going through what I’m going through.”
His sophomore season at Scotland, Britt hit .458 with five homeruns, 12 doubles, 20 walks, and drove in 25 runs. He was 5-3 this season with a 2.03 earned run average with 60 strikeouts against 12 walks in just over 80 innings pitched.
“I hit for average and led the conference in hitting this year at .458,” Britt said. “I can hit for power but I use the whole field. My dad taught me how to hit backside before I started hitting pull. I can use the field really well.”
As a freshman, his pitching numbers were even better going 6-0 with four saves and a 0.76 ERA.
“On the mound, I’m working on my slider, which is coming along,” Britt said. “On a good day, I’m 90-92 and I’m working real hard to try to get my arm stronger.”
As far as the timetable goes, it could be a bit before Britt decides when to make his decision. Many of the schools that he is interested in have already offered but the summer prior to one’s junior season is when most offers roll in.
“My parents and I have talked and my dad really wants me to wait it out a few more months,” Britt said. “Maybe by this winter or even the fall is when I’ll commit. I want to enjoy the ride. Once I commit, I’m going to be committed to that school. It’s stressful and it’s fun at the same time. I’m sort of ready to go ahead and make a decision.”
Britt and his Canes team have their first practice of the season on Sunday.
