Dexter Wideman fails to qualify for South Carolina

Dexter Wideman was one of South Carolina’s biggest steals on Signing Day.

Now, it doesn’t look like the Saluda native will be in a Gamecock uniform anytime soon.

Wideman, a previous commit to Florida State, failed to academically qualify, according to a report by TheBigSpur’s Tony Morrell. The Gamecocks signed the defensive tackle knowing that he would have to work in order to be eligible to enroll in school. Wideman’s coach Stewart Young has said that former Saluda standout will not focus on getting into a prep school in hopes of joining the Gamecocks sometime next January.

With Wideman falling short, some of the shine has come off of South Carolina’s sterling recruiting class. The Gamecock will also be without the services of tight end Kalen Richie and defensive ends Dante Sawyer and Jhaustin Thomas, all of whom failed to qualify.

South Carolina is not home free yet with its class, as three of the five defensive backs that signed with the Gamecocks have still not enrolled. Wesley Green, Chris Lammons and Darin Smalls are all still in academic limbo and, with the Gamecocks already thin at the cornerback position, South Carolina desperately needs at least two of them to be on the field for fall practice.