South Carolina suffered arguably its biggest loss of the 2017 recruiting cycle over the weekend as four-star defender Hamsah Nasirildeen announced his intentions to sign with Florida State despite his months-long commitment to the Gamecocks.

A 2017 U.S. Army All-American and rated as a Top 100 overall prospect, South Carolina simply does not have time to replace an athlete of Nasirildeen’s talent before National Signing Day arrives next week. So why did the North Carolina native decided to switch schools at the eleventh hour?

“I just felt it was a better environment for me, and a better coach and a plan,” Nasirildeen said to Phil Kornblut of The State. “It’s the competitive nature every day. And the relationship with the coaches is a big part. I feel like I can earn some playing time depending on how my development goes and how much work I put in.”

As you could imagine, the decision was not an easy one for Nasirildeen to make. The elite recruit revealed he sent a text message to Will Muschamp to let him know personally of his decision.

“It was a really hard thing to do because it’s not like something went wrong. Everything was going really good,” Nasirildeen said. “I just felt like I had a better opportunity at Florida State. It was a hard thing to do to tell those guys.”

Now all eyes will shift toward Carolina’s other uber-talented commit Jamyest Williams. Georgia has put on the full court press for the Peach State defensive back and hosted him for a visit last weekend. Following the weekend in Athens, Williams announced he would make his final decision on signing day.