Florida DB Damarri Mathis makes the call for the Gamecocks

South Carolina on Friday afternoon picked up a commitment from its second defensive back out of the state of Florida within a span of just over two hours with a pledge from Damarri Mathis of Lakeland.

His commitment follows that of Tavyn Jackson of Tallahassee. Mathis (5-11, 180) gives the Gamecocks 16 commitments for their 2017 class.

“I felt like it was a good fit for me,” Mathis said. “I’ve got a good relationship with Coach TRob (Travaris Robinson) and Coach Muschamp. I feel like it’s the best fit for me right now. They put a lot of defensive guys out. I feel like I can play in that system. And they are a family type feel.”

Mathis has seen his recruiting heat up in the month of June. He camped at USC early in the month and the Gamecocks became one of his first Power 5 Conference offers.

“They most likely like my athletic ability,” he said. “How fast I can run and jump. And they like my skill set, too, and my technique. And my size also. I went out there (at the camp) and played with the top receivers really good. I performed good in the drills.”

Mathis also picked up offers in June from Ole Miss and Pittsburgh. He had those two along with Cincinnati and UCF high on his list, but not high enough to overcome what he thinks he’ll experience at USC and in the SEC.

“I’m very excited to play in that system and at that school and in the greatest conference in all of college football,” Mathis said. “You compete every day with the best of the best, every week.”

Last season Mathis totaled 46 tackles with two interceptions and nine passes broken up. He started his career as a safety before moving to corner.

This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Florida DB Damarri Mathis makes the call for the Gamecocks."