USC Recruiting

Massive junior college lineman commits to Gamecocks football

By Phil Kornblut and Ben Breiner

South Carolina football bolstered its offensive line with a big body on Sunday.

Hutchinson Community College offensive lineman Jazston Turnetine committed to the Gamecocks on the tail end of his official visit. The 6-foot-7, 340 pounder had offers from Missouri, West Virginia, Houston, TCU, Utah, Arizona.

“Coming from Nowhere, Kansas to a big time SEC school is nice,” Turnetine said. “They were my first offer and they show me they actually really want me. They showed me that they really cared, really cared about my family. When I got here, they showed me they really promote a family atmosphere. I really love South Carolina. They showed that they really love me and my family. I can tell my position coach is really excited about coaching me.”

Turnetine said he met with offensive line coach Eric Wolford and head coach Will Muschamp Sunday morning and during their exit conversation, he told them of his decision to join them for the 2020 campaign.



“It feels like a relief,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about the rest of recruiting and all the stress. They need veterans and they want me to come in as a veteran from JUCO and want me to be a leader. They like me at my weight, they like everything me about me. The didn’t care about nothing.”

At the moment, the Gamecocks project to have a pair of tackles with a few years ahead of them as Dylan Wonnum is a rising sophomore and Sadarius Hutcherson will only be a redshirt junior. Hutcherson played guard last season, and could perhaps return there if Turnetine is good enough to play right away.

South Carolina’s last left tackle, Dennis Daley, came from the junior college ranks. He broke into the lineup a few games into his career and started for nearly two seasons. He was then taken in the sixth round by the Carolina Panthers.

Turnetine does not have a ranking from any recruiting service. He was part of an offense that averaged 34.8 points per game and 5 yards per carry. The group only gave up 26 sacks.

The Gamecocks are only in line to lose one offensive lineman off last year’s roster, Donell Stanley.

He is the fourth offensive line commitment for the 2020 class and certainly one of the largest offensive line commitments ever for the Gamecocks. He gives the Gamecocks eight commitments in the class.

SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS OF 2020 COMMITS

▪ Luke Doty, QB (Myrtle Beach HS, SC)

▪ MarShawn Lloyd, RB (DeMatha Catholic HS, MD)

▪ Da’Qon Stewart, ATH, (North Mecklenburg HS, NC)

▪ Jazston Turnetine, OL (Hutchinson Community College, KS)

▪ Tyshawn Wannamaker OL (Calhoun County HS, SC)

▪ Issiah Walker, OL (Norland HS, Fla.)

▪ Mike Wyman, WR, (Greensboro Dudley HS, NC)

▪ Mohamed Kaba, LB (Clinton HS, NC)

This story was originally published June 2, 2019 at 11:22 AM.

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