The South Carolina football team had a fantastic weekend to kickstart the final month of the regular season. Not only did the Gamecocks notch their most lopsided victory ever over the Florida Gators in the first weekend of November, they also added a local defender to join the recruiting class for 2022.
North Charleston defensive lineman Demetrius Watson landed a Gamecock offer way back in June. Watson also holds offers from Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech. He’s rated as being the 16th best prospect in South Carolina by 24/7 Sports, as well as the top defensive line product hailing from the Palmetto State.
Watson was in attendance last weekend for the victory over the Gators. The big win was apparently enough for the three-star player to pull the trigger in favor of the Gamecocks. He’d long been considered a lean to the hometown program but he’s now made it official.
🚨BIG NEWS🚨 After a great regular season and a great talk with @CoachSBeamer and @CoachLindsey I will be committing to the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA🐓🐓 #GoGamecocks #spursup @GamecockFB @FDpatriots @Thea_Osborne_
— Demetrius watson (@DLineGod9o) November 8, 2021
With the addition, the Gamecocks have 18 total commitments for the class of 2022. The group currently ranks as the 21st best in the nation and the eighth best in the Southeastern Conference.
Watson adds depth to South Carolina football’s defense.
Watson plays a position that, at the moment, is one of the Gamecocks’ deepest. The defensive tackle position, in particular, boasts key contributors like Jabari Ellis, Zacch Pickens, Rick Sandidge, Devontae Davis, Alex Huntley, and Tonka Hemingway. While the group is deep at the moment, only Huntley and Hemingway are likely to still be on the roster over the next year or two.
That should allow Watson to learn on the sidelines while also slowly gaining experience in a reserve role rather than having to be forced into action. Typically, the closer you are to the ball the longer it takes to develop and adapt to football at the next level, so it should be beneficial for the big man.
South Carolina will continue recruiting over the next few months as they look to close out the ’22 class. The initial signing period will begin in December, shortly after the conclusion of the regular season.