Football first, not publicity: Dickerson breaks down USC commitment

Defensive back Jaylin Dickerson of Southern Pines, N.C., committed to South Carolina Saturday, one of four commitments for the secondary in three days.

Dickerson was offered in May by the Gamecocks, then went through a private workout Thursday in Columbia in front of Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson, and that seemed to seal the deal for him with the Gamecocks.

“My range and my footwork, they liked that,” Dickerson said. “They put me through some cone drills. They put me through the shuttle. I did the vertical jump.”

Dickerson also has offers from Virginia, East Carolina, Appalachian State and Charlotte. He also drew interest from NC State. The decision came down to the Gamecocks, Cavaliers and Pirates, and he just had a better overall feel for USC.

“Me and the coaches already had a bond, so the connection was there,” he said. “I’m really comfortable with them guys. And the SEC, that’s big-time ball, playing with the best of the best.”

Last season Dickerson recorded 122 tackles with 5 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. He knows the Gamecocks need players for the secondary in 2017, and as an mid-year enrollee he hopes to give himself a good shot at early playing time.

“No spot is guaranteed, I have to work to get that,” he said.

South Carolina has 18 commitments and four in the secondary.

Though he has a Twitter account, Dickerson is the rare high school prospect who does not seek the attention of a Twitter commitment announcement.

“That’s the thing with me, I’m good with it but I don’t like all the publicity,” Dickerson said. “I like to play football, do what I love and be around my family.”

Dickerson said he is shutting down his recruiting and that his coach has already contact other schools involved.

This story was originally published June 20, 2016 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Football first, not publicity: Dickerson breaks down USC commitment."