Georgia receiver commits to Gamecocks, continues USC’s run on skill players for 2021
South Carolina football went into Georgia again to add to its 2021 recruiting class.
Riverdale High School receiver Derwin Burgess committed to the Gamecocks on Thursday. Burgess is the 13th commit for USC’s 2021 recruiting class and seventh from the state of Georgia.
It’s the second straight day USC has picked up a football commitment. West Florida Tech High School athlete Simeon Price committed to the Gamecocks on Wednesday. Like Price, Burgess plays offense and defense but was recruited as a receiver at USC.
Burgess’ decision comes 10 days after Rock Hill receiver O’Mega Blake made his pledge to USC.
The Gamecocks have been on Burgess since back when Bryan McClendon was the receivers coach before leaving to take a job at Oregon. Burgess visited the school in March before the coronavirus shut things down.
“New facilities, the way they carried practice was pretty impressive,” Burgess said. “Everything they told me was down to earth genuine, and that they take everything they say seriously. I liked everything about recruiting with South Carolina.”
Burgess said he knew for about month that he was going to commit to South Carolina. He also considred Georgia Tech, Troy and Indiana and had more than 20 offers.
New Gamecocks receivers coach Joe Cox picked up the recruiting of Burgess and told him he could be used in a similar role that Deebo Samuel was used. Samuel was the Gamecocks’ top receiver and shined on special teams. He’s now in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers.
“They told me how I was needed, not just wanted, and how I’m going to have an impact when I come in,” Burgess said. “I’ll be the best receiver and athlete there. They want to use me in jet sweeps, attacking the seams, working the slot.”
“On offense, he plays with a defensive mentality and a toughness. As an offensive player, he can be used in the slot, on the outside, on jet sweeps and he could be used out of the backfield,” Simmons said. “Burgess has great ball skills and he will be a player that can compete for early playing time in Columbia.
247Sports ranks Burgess as a three-star prospect and No 98 ranked player in Georgia. Burgess caught 28 passes for 463 yards and five touchdown catches last season and also rushed for 168 yards. On defense, he had 19 tackles and an interception.
Phil Kornblut contributed
South Carolina’s 2021 class:
RB Caleb McDowell
WR Sam Reynolds
WR Omega Blake
WR Derwin Burgess
ATH Simeon Price
OL Jordan Davis
DT Nick Barrett
LB Bryce Steele
DB Jayden Johnson
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 1:00 PM.
