South Carolina football fans were under the impression that their favorite team was set to land the top in-state talent again in the class of 2025. That impression was incorrect.
Amare Adams, a 4-star defensive tackle from South Florence High School, had been considered a Gamecock lean for quite some time, but with his commitment coming on Sunday, things seemed to take a turn for the big man this weekend.
On Sunday evening, Adams announced a commitment to another program.
I want to say I have officially committed to Clemson University 🐅🐅@ClemsonFB @CoachEason1 #AllIn @SFBruinFootball @SFBruinStrength pic.twitter.com/t8PFDBh0Fv
— Amare Adams (@AmareAdams7) December 3, 2023
Not only did Adams elect to make a public commitment to a school other than South Carolina, but he also picked the Gamecocks’ biggest rival. If this pledge to the Clemson Tigers sticks, Adams will play against the South Carolina football team every season.
As a player, Adams is an athletic defensive tackle who has a lot of potential. His natural movement and good feet are on display both on the gridiron and the basketball court where he plays in the post for the South Florence Bruins basketball squad, as well.
Adams is a big miss for the Gamecocks as USC needs a lot of help on both lines of scrimmage. The South Carolina football staff won’t relent in their pursuit of Adams on the recruiting trail, but a commitment to the team’s archrival will be difficult to overcome.
In a strange bit of irony, the Gamecocks’ only commitment in the class of 2025 is Adams’ South Florence teammate Jayden Sellers, a 3-star wide receiver and younger brother of current Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Adams is the top prospect in the state of South Carolina in the ’25 cycle; Sellers is the 3rd-highest rated recruit in the state in the ’25 cycle.
The Gamecocks are in on several other top in-state players in the class, but most 2025 players have not gotten as deep into their recruitments as Adams and Sellers.