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USC picks up top-10 recruit
Columbia High safety Jeffery paves way for other in-state big names to become Gamecocks
Columbia High football player Damario Jeffery poses for the cameras after making South Carolina his official choice during a press conference, Friday, August 1, 2008.
Gerry Melendez/gmelendez@thestate.com /The State
CommentsThis time, Damario Jeffery is certain.
“I’m a Gamecock for life, baby,” the Columbia High safety and linebacker announced Friday afternoon in front of a crowd of journalists as he peeled away a name tag to reveal the USC logo on his white polo shirt.
Hours before the Gamecocks’ first preseason practice, Jeffery, who briefly committed to Clemson in the spring, is the first of the state’s top-10 recruits from the 2009 recruiting class to commit to South Carolina.
“A lot of pressure is off me now, and I can go on with my life,” Jeffery said. Jeffery, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder who is ranked No. 4 in this year’s state recruiting class according to rivals.com, hopes his decision to attend South Carolina might sway other big name recruits, including South Pointe’s Stephon Gilmore.
“I feel like a couple of big-time players are going to come in, like me. I was waiting to see who else was going to commit, because I want to come in with a great class,” Jeffery said.
Columbia coach Kemper Amick said Jeffery’s decision came as little surprise.
“A lot of colleges recruit for body type, and Damario’s tall; he’s always been tall, and he’s always been able to run fast,” said Amick, who predicted Jeffery’s top-of-the-class status when he was an eighth-grader.
As a junior, Jeffery’s play propeled the Capitals to the Class 2A semifinals for the second consecutive year and produced offers from a dozen Division 1 schools.
Jeffery said his decision came down to Alabama and USC, and that incoming defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson’s approach helped sway his decision.
The urging of his best friend and teammate, Chris Payne, also helped. Payne, a linebacker/running back who is ranked No. 12 among the state’s top recruits by rivals.com, committed to South Carolina in the spring.
“He had a little bit to do with it,” Jeffery said. “He didn’t pressure me to go to Carolina; it was always for me to make the best decision for me but ... I’m looking forward to playing with Chris for another four or five years.”
Jeffery also praised USC assistant coach David Reaves’ recruiting efforts.
“Coach Reaves really did a great job keeping me home, because my first plan was to go as far away as I could,” he said.
Despite his commitment, Jeffery did not rule out the possibility of taking planned visits to Alabama and Auburn.
Amick rejected the idea that Jeffery might be wooed away from South Carolina.
“This is a strong commitment, and if he takes another visit, I will be surprised.”
Reach Nelson at (803) 771-8419.
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