South Carolina football: Donovan Westmoreland commits to Gamecocks

South Carolina football picked up its 3rd commit this week.

After landing the pledges of two prospects last Friday, Shane Beamer and the South Carolina football staff picked up a third commitment on Monday morning after successfully flipping outside linebacker Donovan Westmoreland from SEC East rival Georgia.

Westmoreland had been committed to the Bulldogs since January, picking Georgia over offers from Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, Maryland, Mississippi State, Syracuse, and Tennessee. The Peach State native is considered by Rivals to be the nation’s 38th best linebacker prospect, and will add depth to a position that just saw it’s top contributor get drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.

With Westmoreland’s commitment, the Gamecocks’ recruiting class moves up to 34th nationally, after entering the weekend at 59th. The group consists of two defenders and two players on the offensive side of the ball, with each coming at huge areas of need.

While Westmoreland is considered a linebacker, he’s likely going to help out as an edge rusher at the college level. As a junior last year, he tallied 12 sacks and 23 tackles for loss at Griffin High School. If he can add a little weight to his 6-foot-3 frame, Westmoreland could slide into the role that’s been occupied by All-SEC performer Kinglsey Enagbare the last two seasons. Enagbare graduates this year, and will be a likely NFL Draft selection barring any significant injuries.

Recruiting season is beginning to heat up, and coach Beamer is not taking his foot off the gas. South Carolina already has a handful of visits lined up for the Summer, and the three new additions to the class will give the coaching staff something to sell regarding the future in Columbia.