South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock target at position of need decommits from Texas, re-opens recruitment

South Carolina football made the top-10 for elite defensive tackle prospect D'antre Robinson back in July. The big fella seemed set to choose the Texas Longhorns, however, so Gamecock fans didn't get their hopes up. The feelings surrounding Robinson's recruitment proved to be correct as he chose Steve Sarkisian's team just a couple of weeks after naming his top-10.

Robinson signed with UT during the early signing period. Meanwhile, the South Carolina football program did not reel in a signle high school defensive tackle in the cycle.

However, since Texas defensive line coach Bo Davis has left the program for the same job at LSU, Robinson has requested to be released from his signed letter of intent. According to a report from 247Sports' Hank South, he has had that request granted.

It is unclear at this point if the Gamecocks have any intention to try to get back into things with Robinson. LSU (where his favorite defensive line coach now is employed) made his top-10, and Florida appeared to be 2nd in the running when he committed to Texas. The Gators have also gotten a crystal ball from On3's Gerry Hamilton, a Texas insider.

In addition to South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and LSU, the rest of Robinson's inititial top-10 included Colorado, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, and Maryland.

With the traditional Signing Day approaching in two weeks, Robinson won't have long to make his decision.

The Gamecocks could really use a defensive tackle from the high school ranks in the 2024 class as they have a ton of juniors and seniors at the position (TJ Sanders, Tonka Hemingway, Boogie Huntley, Deandre Jules, Jerome Simmons, Nick Barrett, Drew Tuazama, Elijah Davis, and Monkell Goodwine) and just one player who is a sophomore or younger (Jamaal Whyce).

The recruiting at defensive tackle fell off toward the end of Jimmy Lindsey's time in Columbia. When he left for LSU last spring (he has already been fired), Travian Robertson was put behind the 8-ball.

Class of 2025 4-star defensive tackle Amare Adams already has committed to Clemson, but South Carolina football fans are hoping Robertson can dig out of the hole left by Lindsey and get the Gamecocks back in the game for big-time players at the position.