4-star defensive lineman Zavion Hardy commits to South Carolina
Defensive lineman Zavion Hardy joined the South Carolina 2023 recruiting class with a Sunday commitment.
The 6-foot-5, 262-pound four-star lineman from Macon, Georgia announced his decision via social media.
“Gamecock Nation let’s ride ... 1000% committed,” he said in a Twitter post.
He’s the 19th commitment for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks’ 2023 class, and the third on the defensive line.
He’s the second pledge for the defensive line in recent days. Xzavier McLeod (Camden, SC) committed to the Gamecocks on Thursday. All three of USC’s defensive line commitments — Hardy, McLeod and Monteque Rhames of Sumter — are four-star prospects.
Hardy’s lead recruiter at USC is defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey. The two developed a tight relationship throughout the recruiting process, and they got the chance to visit a good bit during the Gamecocks’ spring game. That visit reinforced all the good feelings he’s had about the program, he said.
“The fans are real supportive and they bring a lot of energy into the stadium,” Hardy said. “We’ve just been in love with South Carolina since day one. It feels like home. Me and Coach Lindsey have a close bond. He’s one of the coaches that’s been recruiting me hard since day one.”
According to 247Sports, Hardy as a junior at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Georgia “got snaps primarily on the DL, but also worked in at TE. Totaled 56 tackles and 7 sacks as a junior. Earned All-Region 1A-Private honors.”
The 247Sports Composite that factors in all rankings considers Hardy the No. 155 recruit nationally and the 22nd-best defensive lineman in the country.
Said 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong: “Hardy is an explosive player at the point of attack with long arms, change of direction ability and a big frame upside. Envision a 6-4, 300-pound prototypical SEC body type down the road. He’s twitchy up front.”
— Phil Kornblut contributed to this story
South Carolina football 2023 commits
- RB Dontavius Braswell, Washington County (Ga.)
- OL Trovon Baugh, Pace Academy (Ga.)
- OL Isaiah Jatta, Snow College (Utah)
- WR Kelton Henderson, Lehigh Acres (Fla.)
- WR CJ Adams, Pebblebrook (Ga.)
- TE Connor Cox, The Bolles School (Fla.)
- TE Kamron Sandlin, Anniston (Ala.)
- S Judge Collier, Legion Collegiate, Rock Hill
- DL Zavion Hardy, Macon (Ga.)
- DL Xzavier McLeod, Camden
- DE Monteque Rhames, Manning (transferred from Sumter)
- LB Grayson Howard, Andrew Jackson (Fla.)
- S Jalon Kilgore, Putnam County (Ga.)
- S Zahbari Sandy, St John’s, Washington (DC)
- S Cam Upshaw, Taylor County (Fla.)
- OT Oluwatosin Babalade, DeMatha Catholic (Md.)
- ATH Vicari Swain, Central (Ga.)
- OT Jatavius Shivers, Villa Rica (Ga.)
- OL Markee Anderson, Dorman
This story was originally published August 21, 2022 at 5:41 PM.
