LB Donovan Westmoreland (6-2 195) of Griffin, GA Monday announced a decommitment from Georgia and a commitment to USC. Westmoreland had committed to the Bulldogs on January 22nd, part of what has become the #1 recruiting class nationally. But USC defensive ends coach Mike Peterson, who had offered Westmoreland last September while Will Muschamp was head coach, stayed locked in and was able to turn him.
“Georgia wasn’t keeping in touch with me that much. We were just separating,” Westmoreland said. “South Carolina, the head coach, coach Peterson, coach (Jimmy) Lindsey, all of those were keeping in touch with me every day, having conversations and checking on me. The bond grew stronger. And coach Lindsey and coach Peterson know my former coaches at Griffin High. It was only right. I saw the consistency and it opened my eyes a lot.”
Westmoreland made a personal visit to USC for the spring game in late April. After experiencing that, he started to have a strong feeling Columbia was where he wanted to be.
“Fanbase is crazy. It just felt right,” Westmoreland said. “It started getting to me like, this is probably where I need to be. This is where I need to be.”
Westmoreland said the relationship between Peterson and him grew stronger thru the recruiting process, and he’s excited for the opportunity to play for him.
“I can see him as like one of my high school coaches,” Westmoreland said. “It felt like I already knew him because he acts just like my coaches at the school. It’s like there will be no difference.”
Westmoreland also has offers from Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, Akron, Syracuse, Troy, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Maryland, North Carolina and Central Florida. He’s rated a three-star in the 247Sports Composite and ranked the #30 outside linebacker prospect nationally.
“They can’t wait for me to come off the edge and make a great impact,” Westmoreland, “If I just come in and do what I have to do, I can get some early playing time. Everybody wants to hurry up and get on the field.”
Last season Westmoreland had 84 tackles with 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He’s been invited to the 2022 Florida-Georgia All-Star Game.
Westmoreland is the fourth commitment for the Gamecocks 2022 class. He plans to visit in June and is looking at signing and graduating in December.
USC 2022 RECRUITING CLASS
- ANTHONY ROSE SAF 6-4 180 HALLANDALE, FL
- GRAYSON MAINS OT 6-5 265 SUWANEE, GA
- BRADEN DAVIS QB 6-5 185 MIDDLETOWN, DE
- DONOVAN WESTEMORELAND LB 6-2 195 GRIFFIN, GA
