South Carolina football lands three-star versatile safety from Georgia
South Carolina football continued to add pieces for the Class of 2023.
Putnam County (Georgia) safety Jalon Kilgore committed to coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks on Wednesday evening in a ceremony held at New Life Outreach Christian Center where Kilgore’s dad is a pastor.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Kilgore is the sixth USC commit for the Class of 2023 and the third defensive back.
Kilgore picked the Gamecocks over Clemson, Michigan, Oklahoma and Tennessee Tech. Those were his final five schools he released on Sunday. Kilgore’s brother, Gerald, is going to be a freshman at Tennessee Tech.
During his announcement, Jalon Kilgore put on a purple Tennessee Tech hat before pulling a Gamecocks hat out of the bag.
“It would be an honor to follow my brother, but I got to follow my own dream,” Jalon said during his announcement. “For the next three or four years, I will be taking my talents to South Carolina. Go Gamecocks.”
Kilgore took his official visit to USC last weekend after going to Oklahoma the week before. South Carolina was the first school to offer him in January, and he discussed that relationship with Beamer as he took questions from reporters.
“They were the first ones to put their faith in me during the whole process,” Kilgore said. “They just didn’t give an offer and forgot about me. They stuck with me during the whole process from January until now. Coach Beamer told me he had a plan, and I have seen that plan throughout the whole recruitment process.
“I have my faith in Coach Beamer and (defensive backs coach Torrian) Gray, and I believe we could have really big impact in the SEC.”
Kilgore also talked about his relationship with Derrick Moore, USC’s Executive Director of Character and Player Development. Moore, a Georgia native, is a key part of Beamer’s staff and helps players with life outside of football.
“He is a very powerful man. Just hearing him speak gives me chills,” Kilgore said of Moore. “He has given me knowledge the times I was up there. I can’t wait to get even more knowledge when I get up back toward the campus.”
247Sports ranks Kilgore as a three-star prospect and top-30 safety in the country for the Class of 2023.
Last season, Kilgore led the team with 88 tackles, eight passes defensed and four caused fumbles. He also saw time on offense, catching 37 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Gamecocks 2023 Commits
OL Trovoughn Baugh, Pace Academy (Ga.)
TE Connor Cox, The Bolles School (Fla.)
WR Kelton Henderson, Lehigh Acres (Fla.)
S Jalon Kilgore, Putnam County (Ga.)
S Zahbari Sandy, St John’s, Washington (DC)
S Cam Upshaw, Taylor County (Fla.)
This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 6:25 PM.
