South Carolina football trying to flip local receiving standout before signing day
As he gets ready to suit up for a final time as a high school football player, Zavier Short still has a lot to decide.
The Chapin receiver said Wednesday that he remains committed to Appalachian State but is weighing the offer he received from South Carolina, his “dream school,” earlier this month. The Gamecocks had shown interest for months but finally pulled the trigger on the offer last week.
“They are both recruiting me real heavy right now, and right now I’m still committed to Appalachian State,” Short said after morning practice for the Touchstone Cooperatives Energy Bowl. “Just trying to see what’s best for me and best for my family.
“The (USC offer) made it a little more difficult because I was kind of locked in to App State already. USC has always been a dream school, but I was already going into App. But things change, so I have to reevaluate my situation and see what is best for me.”
Short has been leaning on his father for advice during this process. His father played football at Marshall.
Short said he hopes to announce whether he is going ahead with the Appalachian State decision or flipping to USC before the first day of the early signing day on Dec. 15 but added he might take it all the way up to that day.
Appalachian State recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Justin Watts came by Chapin High on Monday, and receivers coach Pat Washington had dinner at his house during an in-home visit Monday night.
Short isn’t sure if the Gamecocks will do an in-home visit with him. The Gamecocks like him as a tight end/h-back. USC has no tight ends so far committed for the Class of 2022.
“They are actually going to create a position for me,” Short said. “I will be in coach Kimrey’s room with the tight ends but they will be using me anyway I could help.”
Short is the all-time leading receiver at Chapin with 217 catches for 3,391 yards. This season, he led the Eagles with 67 catches for 1,038 yards, 14 touchdowns and also had TDs rushing, passing on on special teams.
247Sports ranks Short as a three-star prospect and No. 16 in the state for the Class of 2022. He ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash at a camp at North Carolina State this summer.
Short is one of 18 Midlands players on the final rosters for the Touchstone Energy Bowl, which is back after a year’s absence because of COVID-19. A few others were picked but had to back out because of injuries.
“It is fun being here with the best players in the state and getting to compete one more time before we go off to college,” Short said.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach
Tickets: $20 (plus tax) and can be purchased at https://www.touchstoneenergybowl.com/tickets
This story was originally published December 8, 2021 at 1:23 PM.
