Big in-state lineman commits to South Carolina football

Marcus Lattimore scored his last USC touchdown nearly six years ago, but Saturday he scored again helping the Gamecocks land their newest commitment.

Calhoun County 2020 offensive lineman Tyshawn Wannamaker (6-foot-4, 330 pounds) committed to the Gamecocks at their SpursUp Cookout, and he said a talk by Lattimore helped him to make up his mind on the spot.

"My 8th-grade year summer they started looking at me and my freshman year they were my first offer," Wannamaker said in recounting the development of the relationship with the Gamecocks. "Today I went up there for SpursUp day. Marcus Lattimore, he gave a speech and the words that he spoke about today it touched me, and I chose to be there."

He was part of a 2-9 Saints squad last season. He's the second member of the team's 2020 class, joining Georgia tailback Mecose Todd.

Last week, Gamecocks offensive line coach Eric Wolford explained how USC has to get in early on young offensive linemen.

Wannamaker has not been a heavily offered prospect to this point noting that one other offer he could recall was from Georgia State. So, getting the chance to play major college football in the SEC was too great to pass on.

"Chance of a lifetime," he said. "I'm just trying to take every opportunity that comes my way. And Marcus was saying that with the connections that he has and the life after football, if I go there I can have any job that I want after graduating."

Wannamaker said when he gave Will Muschamp and Eric Wolford his commitment, they welcomed him with open arm.

"They were very happy. They were waiting for a long time. They said I'm a great talent and I can move for a big guy."

Wannamaker said he's firm with his commitment but he does have two more years of high school and more offers are certain to roll in. He'd also like to enjoy the recruiting process a bit.

"I'm going on my official visits and will still be on the recruiting trail," he said.

Wannamaker also plays on the defensive line and will going into his third season as a starter for the Saints.

This story was originally published April 21, 2018 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Big in-state lineman commits to South Carolina football."