Gamecocks get commitment from 320-pound defensive tackle who had 15 sacks last season
The sports world is shut down, but the South Carolina football recruiting machine just added a key piece.
Goldsboro, North Carolina defensive tackle Nick Barrett committed to the Gamecocks late Wednesday night. The three-star, 6-foot-4, 320-pounder is the first lineman in the class.
In his announcement on social media, Barrett wrote: “First off, I would like to thank God because if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here. Secondly, I would like to thank my family and friends for the endless support. Also, I would like to thank Coach Oates and Coach Harper for helping me becomes he player I am today. With that being said, I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina.”
Barrett said the staff was coming hard after him earlier this week.
“I hear from at least two or three of the coaches every day,” Barrett said before committing. “Coach (Will) Muschamp, Coach (Tracy) Rocker and Coach (Kyle) Krantz. They give me reasons why I should be a Gamecock, and share stuff about their school. They send videos telling what the experience would be like walking out the stadium, and how it’s going to go in the classroom and all that.”
Barrett is considered a three-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite ranking that factors in all networks. He is the No. 60 defensive tackle nationally and No. 57 player in North Carolina, according to 247Sports.
“I see myself playing anywhere from the zero to the three technique,” Barrett said before committing. “The coaches say I could be a big part of their defense. They like that I can move and I can use my hands. He (Muschamp) said I’m a big, powerful strong guy.”
Barrett had said the Gamecocks, Virginia, Liberty, Penn State, Ole Miss and East Carolina were standing out to him. He also had offers from Duke, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina. He visited Virginia before the recruiting stoppage.
Last season, Barrett was in on 70 tackles with 15 sacks.
South Carolina’s 2021 class:
▪ QB Colten Gauthier
▪ DB Marcellas Dial
▪ DT Nick Barrett
▪ WR Sam Reynolds
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 10:33 PM.
