He’s committed elsewhere, but Gamecocks aren’t backing off Dorian Gerald
South Carolina thought it was going to land College of the Canyons (Ca.) defensive end and Florence native Dorian Gerald until he opted to commit to Tennessee on July 6.
Louisville, Florida and LSU were others on his top list left hanging. But that commitment has not quenched the thirst those schools have for Gerald as they and others continue to recruit him hard. Gerald said he talked Sunday night with USC recruiter Lance Thompson and will take an official visit with the Gamecocks.
Gerald said Thompson talked with him about visiting for the Wofford weekend but the actual date has not been set. He said Thompson is in daily contact and Will Muschamp is also keeping up the contact with him as well.
“Nothing has changed,” Gerald said. “Throughout everything they’ve stayed in contact with me. No one has backed down.”
In fact, Gerald said he’s added an offer from Auburn to his long list.
Four of his official visits are set. There will be the one to Columbia. Tennessee is down for Nov. 25. Louisville is Sept. 16 and Florida will get a visit. He said the final visit is still open with LSU and Texas A&M two of the possibilities.
“Why not take all five visits if you can because I’m not going to get this treatment any more,” Gerald said. “I’m committed to Tennessee. I’ve seen what there is to see at Tennessee and I know the coaches real well. (Flipping) is always a possibility. I’m not saying that will happen or that’s my intention. Anything is possible. It’s a long season and I’m going to watch Tennessee this year, watch all the teams I have my eyes on, and see how everything lines up. There will be coaching changes everywhere so I’ll watch where the coaches go. Right now I’m firm but I can’t lie to you and say the visits aren’t to see what the schools have to offer because I do want to see that.”
It was a visit to Tennessee this summer soon after a visit to USC that turned Gerald’s mind toward the Vols. One big difference in the visits was his entire family went with him to Knoxville while only his grandmother was with him in Columbia. This time on his USC visit, he plans to bring all the family members.
“That visit will be huge for me and I want everybody to go back with me,” Gerald said. “Tennessee got to roll the red carpet out and make me feel 100 percent at home. That’s going to be the big difference in the first visit to South Carolina and this visit. I want to get everyone there on a visit because that played a big role in me committing to Tennessee. I’m big on family and want my family’s opinion on things. That visit to South Carolina will be huge.”
Gerald said Florida is another school making a strong push for him in recent weeks.
This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 11:22 AM with the headline "He’s committed elsewhere, but Gamecocks aren’t backing off Dorian Gerald."