Gamecock D-line target sets commitment date. He previews his decision here
Three-star defensive tackle D’Andre Martin (6-4 293) is using the quiet period this week to see his two finalists one last time before announcing a commitment around midday Sunday.
On Monday he was at Virginia Tech with his dad, uncle and two brothers. Thursday he will begin a three-day visit to USC with his mom, dad, uncle and brothers joining him.
Martin — of Durham, North Carolina and Life Christian Academy in South Chesterfield, Virginia — said he is using these two visits to determine which program his going to give him what he most wants out of a college experience.
“I just told the coaches there (Virginia Tech) and the coaches I’m going to tell at South Carolina, I’m just looking for the best environment that I could see myself in after football,” Martin said. “But overall, Virginia Tech was a family-oriented school, so I really liked it a lot. It was a great visit.”
Martin also took an official visit to Virginia Tech in June. He also visited USC unofficially in June, so this week’s visit will give him a chance to see more about life around the campus and the city of Columbia.
“Just see the town area and see what some of the players are about at South Carolina, see what their lives are like,” Martin said. “Really going to embrace the environment and make sure I can see myself enjoying my time there.”
Martin added that he and his USC recruiter, defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, talk nearly every day.
The Gamecocks have seven openings left in their 2022 class. Only two of their commitments at this point are for the defensive line.
In-state prospect visits
USC is preparing to host one final recruiting event Saturday before the quiet period ends that day and practice begins the next week. The Gamecocks have invited several of their commitments, numerous juniors and sophomores and a couple of 2022 targets for a cookout.
The uncommitted 2022 prospects include Dutch Fork receiver Antonio Williams, defensive end James Pearce of Charlotte and defensive end D’Andre Martin of Durham, North Carolina.
Defensive end Davin Jackson of Sumter also was invited to the cookout, but he’s having ACL surgery Thursday and will be shut down for several days. Instead, Jackson is visiting USC with his mom Wednesday, his final visit before he announces a commitment Sunday night.
“They wanted me to go the 31st, but I’ll be sitting in my chair for two days,” Jackson said. “They don’t want me walking on it, so I’ll have all the time in the world to think for those two days since I won’t be doing anything. I texted them and I asked if I could get up there on Wednesday just so I can see the campus, because that’s the only school I haven’t seen too much of.”
Jackson on Wednesday posted a picture to Twitter announcing he made it campus.. He said he will spend a few hours with the coaches and check out the campus. He camped at USC in early June, and it was after that performance the Gamecocks offered him.
On Sunday, Jackson visited N.C. State, another school high on his list. He also visited Raleigh June 1, the first day prospects could get out during that quiet period. Jackson said it was great to be back with the Wolfpack again.
“I got to put on the uniform once again, got to see the field,” Jackson said. “This time I got to see a bunch of players and some commitments. I saw the facility again, which was great. The whole atmosphere is super nice. It’s all-around a great school. I told them I’m committing Aug. 1 and things like that. They are definitely waiting on a call from me to see how things work out.”
Jackson said as he heads down the home stretch of his recruiting, the strongest interest is coming from USC, NC State, Syracuse, Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina. He took official visits to Syracuse and Coastal Carolina in June.
Jackson plans to post his commitment first on Instagram around 8 p.m. Sunday and then spread the word on his other social media outlets.
Recruiting notes
▪ USC running back target Jaylon Glover of Lakeland, Florida has set Aug. 6 for his commitment announcement. Glover has had a top five of USC, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Utah.
In June he made official visits to USC, Georgia Tech and Florida State and unofficial visits to Tennessee and Florida. Glover rushed for 1,588 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, after a sophomore season of 1,592 and 14 touchdowns.
He’s rated a three-star prospect and ranked the No. 34 running back nationally. Glover has been at the top of USC’s board for running backs. The Gamecocks missed on a couple of other targets recently when Ramon Brown committed to Virginia Tech and Omario Hampton committed to North Carolina. They remain involved with Anthony Handerson of Fort Lauderdale.
▪ USC defensive end target Tomiwa Durojaiye will visit Kentucky next week. That means he will have visited all of his favorites ahead of his announcement date of Aug. 7. In June he visited USC, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
▪ USC cornerback target Nick Cull of Donalsonville, Georgia has scratched the July 30 announcement date he had set to give himself more time. He has a short list of USC, Miami, Florida, Ole Miss Auburn and Alabama.
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 1:03 PM.