Gamecocks trending as clear favorite for in-state defensive tackle

South Carolina missed on a defensive tackle target earlier this week when Jamari Lyons of Melbourne, Florida committed to the Florida Gators.

It was a case where a prospect really wanted to stay home and play for the in-state school. But the Gamecocks are not finished adding to their defensive front.

They have positioned themselves well with Fort Dorchester High School defensive tackle Demetrius Watson, and it’s just a matter of time before he makes a commitment to the Gamecocks.

“They are really, really big — like number one on my list right now,” Watson said. “I don’t see anybody coming in front of that right now.”

Watson (6-2, 285) said he does not have a set commitment date in mind, and Shane Beamer and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey are not rushing him. He’s not had a chance to get in for a game this season because of COVID-19 issues in the family, but he might be in for the Vanderbilt game and others in November.

“Everything is great,” Watson said. “Most of the time I’m talking to coach Beamer and coach Lindsey, and it isn’t about football, it’s about everyday life stuff. I’m getting to know them as better people. I get a lot of motivational videos from coach Beamer.”

The Gamecocks are 3-2 going into Saturday’s game at Tennessee. Watson has been watching from home, and he’s upbeat about the direction of the program under Beamer.

“I believe the whole team overall is starting to fall into place like how it’s supposed to be,” Watson said. “Right now, everybody is buying into the process from what I’m seeing. I’m seeing the progression over the weeks, and it seems like everything is falling in line how it is supposed to be.”

Watson said he can see himself playing for Beamer. In fact, he often visualizes what it would be like for him in a Gamecocks uniform inside Williams-Brice Stadium.

“I see it being great,” Watson said. “It’s hard to explain, but sometimes I sit and I daydream about it, what I would look like in the uniform and on the field with all the fans.”

Watson also has offers from Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Arizona State, Virginia Tech and Georgia State. But he said the schools he’s been hearing from besides USC are Coastal Carolina, Navy and Kansas.

Recruiting notes

• 2023 tight end Jelani Thurman (6-5, 225) of Fairburn, Georgia was offered by South Carolina. He also has offers from Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech and UCF.
• 2024 tight end Landen Thomas (6-4 210) of Moultrie, Georgia was offered by USC.
• 2023 defensive end Xzavier McLeod of Camden was offered by Tennessee.
• 2023 defensive tackle Eamon Smalls of Beaufort was offered by East Carolina. He visited Coastal Carolina last Saturday.
• USC 2023 QB target Dylan Lonergan of Snellville, Georgia plans to visit Auburn this Saturday.
• Class of 2023 offensive tackle and USC target Lance Williams of Alcoa, Tennessee plans to be at Cincinnati Friday night for the Temple game, and at Virginia Tech Saturday for the Notre Dame game.
• USC 2023 offensive tackle target Payton Kirkland of Orlando was offered by North Carolina.
• USC 2023 linebacker target Phil Picciotti of Perkasie, Pennsylvania was offered by Notre Dame.
• 2023 cornerback Travon West of Wren plans to visit Virginia Tech Saturday.
• 2024 receiver Mazeo Bennett of Greenville plans to visit Kentucky this weekend.
• Right-handed pitcher Zach Zedalis (5-11 180) of Gaston College in North Carolina committed to USC. He’s a native of Charlotte. Played his first season at NC Central and last season at Charlotte.