Gamecocks add former Auburn commit to football recruiting class
Jalewis Solomon is coming to South Carolina after all.
The four-star defensive back committed Sunday to the Gamecocks’ 2024 recruiting class, a day after attending the Gamecocks’ game against Florida. Solomon originally committed to Auburn on Aug. 5 but decommitted to the Tigers on Oct. 10.
South Carolina was one of Solomon’s final schools when he committed to Auburn, and Gamecocks coaches kept in touch with him in recent months. He took an official visit to USC in July.
Solomon admitted to On3’s Chad Simmons that he rushed into commitment during the summer.
“It came down to me making a decision pretty early,” Solomon told On3.. “I rushed it and I just wasn’t ready when I committed. I have been thinking about this for a while and I just have to take some time and do what is best for myself. Auburn did nothing wrong, but I just had a change of heart.”
The 6-foot, 180-pounder from Schley High in Georgia is ranked 199th nationally by 247Sports Composite and 10th-best athlete overall by On3 for the class.
He is playing on both sides of the ball for Schley, leading the team in receiving through six games with 28 catches for 588 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has two interceptions on defense.
Solomon arrived on Saturday and took in the game against Florida at Williams-Brice Stadium. He paid close attention to the secondary.
“The development of the defensive backs is what really caught my eyes the most,” Solomon said. “There’s progression from year one and year two.”
After the game, Solomon was able to catch up with some of the players as well as head coach Shane Beamer and secondary coach Torrian Gray.
“I went out with some of the players,” Solomon said. “They took me to their dormitory and told me how they live. I talked with all the coaches. They were excited to have me up. They were excited about my decommitment, and they were just really glad to have another chance at me.”
Solomon said Gray has already told him he has a spot for him in his defensive backfield.
“He sees me playing as a lock-down corner,” Solomon said. “He says I can play Week One if I just come in and do my job.”
Beamer, according to Solomon, also expressed excitement about him being in for the game.
“He was excited as soon as he saw me,” Solomon said. “He said he was pretty upset that they didn’t get the win. He said he needs guys like me to secure the win.”
— Phil Kornblut contributed to this story
South Carolina football 2024 commits
July 2, 2022: QB Dante Reno — Windsor, Conn.
Jan. 22: OT Kam Pringle — Dorchester, SC
Jan. 24: TE Michael Smith — Savannah, Ga.
Jan. 27: LB Wendell Gregory — Marietta, Ga.
Feb. 3: WR Mazeo Bennett — Greenville, SC
March 31: OL Blake Franks — Greenville, SC
April 14: OL Josiah Thompson — Dillon, SC
April 19: DB Kelvin Hunter — Florence, SC
April 19: DB Braydon Lee — Upper Marlboro, Md.
June 12: P Mason Love — Riverside, Mo.
June 17: LB Fred Johnson — Norfolk, Va.
June 23: RB Matthew Fuller — Jesup, Ga.
June 26: DB David Bucey — Savannah, Ga.
July 30: WR Zy’Marion Lang — Palmetto, Fla.
Aug. 1: DE Dylan Stewart — Washington, DC
Oct 15: DB Jalewis Solomon — Ellaville, Ga.
This story was originally published October 15, 2023 at 6:18 PM.
