Former Wake Forest lineman Cory Helms transfers to South Carolina

After two seasons of starting on the offensive line for Wake Forest, Cory Helms is headed to the SEC.

Helms, a freshman All-America selection in 2013 who decided to transfer earlier this month, announced Sunday that he will round out his career at South Carolina.

Helms visited South Carolina over the weekend and committed to the program on Sunday afternoon.

Helms started 11 games at center for the Demon Deacons in 2013 before sliding over to left guard for the 2014 season. He will likely have to sit out the 2015 season with the Gamecocks due to NCAA transfer rules, but he told GoGamecocks.com that he and the school will make an appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility.

“I’m moving back closer to home because I live with a sick grandmother,” Helms, a native of Alpharetta, Ga., said. “That’s a big reason I’m coming here to be able to come back and help my grandmother.”

Helms took visits to Mississippi State and Texas A&M and had another scheduled for Penn State next weekend. Ultimately, he opted to end the process by choosing South Carolina.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Helms told GamecockCentral.com that the team’s depth at center also played a role in his choice.

“They definitely have a big need at center and I feel like I can come in and help them out big time there,” Helms said.

Helms said he bonded well with his future teammates during his visit.

“Everything was great,” Helms said. “The best part was being around the other offensive linemen. It was probably the first time I hung out with other recruits and the group of linemen I will be playing with. I felt like we had a good bond.”

Helms will enroll in May.

South Carolina went 7-6 in 2014.

For more South Carolina news, visit GamecockCentral.com.

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