Gamecocks commit snags late, long-awaited Shrine Bowl spot
A back injury prevented South Carolina defensive back commit R.J. Roderick from making the Shrine Bowl, but he held out hope. He’d reached out to the coaches as he was cleared to play late in the season, but he had to wait.
He got his invite Tuesday.
Blessed to be reinvited to play in the shrine bowl ‼️
— RJ Roderick (@JayEra11) December 12, 2017
Roderick missed six games for Cane Bay with a stress fracture in his back. He replaced injured York defensive back Tajy Reid-Stanley.
Roderick played quarterback early in the season, but focused on defense after making his return. He finished the season with 354 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, plus at least one interception on defense for the 9-3 Cobras.
He was close with Cross coach Shaun Wright, who is on the Shrine Bowl staff. Roderick said he reached out to Wright when he was coming back, but had to wait and see.
“Everything will fall into place,” Roderick said at the time. “Whatever everything needs to be, it will be.
“It’s an honor.”
The Shrine Bowl is Saturday at 2 p.m. in Wofford’s Gibbs Stadium.
This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Gamecocks commit snags late, long-awaited Shrine Bowl spot."