Newberry athlete Yafari Werts sets official visit with USC

Newberry’s Yafari Werts is on the radar with South Carolina.

The Shrine Bowler will visit South Carolina on Jan. 22.

Werts played quarterback in high school but is seen as a receiver/athlete by most Division I schools. He has been committed to Georgia Southern since June but began rethinking his commitment when GSU coach Willie Fritz left for Tulane.

“That was kind of always my dream school but they never really recruited me,” Werts said of the Gamecocks. “I heard from them a few times but nothing like it is now.”

Werts said the Gamecocks like him as a slot receiver and a return man. USC has not yet offered.

Werts said Friday he plans to visit Appalachian State right after South Carolina and then go to North Carolina on Jan. 29. There is a chance he might visit Tulane.

Werts has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the state the past two seasons and helped the Bulldogs to back-to-back appearances in the Class 2A Division I championship game. This year, he rushed for 1,308 yards and threw for 1,204 yards and 32 total touchdowns.

For his career, he finished with more than 6,000 yards and 73 touchdowns.