South Carolina really needs to have a good game on Saturday against Mizzou — the 2018 recruiting class may depend on it.

Five-star DE Xavier Thomas, the No. 2 overall recruit (behind QB Trevor Lawrence) in the 2018 class, will be in attendance at Williams-Brice Stadium to watch the game:

South Carolina and Clemson are currently the two favorites to land the 6-foot-3, 250-pound South Carolina native.

According to 247Sports, Thomas is the No. 1 defensive end in the class of 2018 and the No. 1 overall recruit from the state of South Carolina.