Last week USC landed a commitment from prize quarterback Braden Davis of Middletown, DE. He plays to join fellow Delaware natives running back Marshawn Lloyd and defensive end Deebo Williams with the Gamecocks in 2022. The Gamecocks also have offered Davis’ teammate DE Tomiwa Durojaiye (6-5 255). He was in for the spring game and has taken a virtual visit that included practically every member of the staff.
Now, the Gamecocks have an additional recruiter on their side in Davis. That’s a plus for them, for sure. But Durojaiye is not accelerating his process just because his close friend did so.
“I’m still in love with the coaching staff,” Durojaiye said. “I love where the program is headed. It’s a little different with Braden. He’s not going thru it no more, so now he’s trying like recruit me to South Carolina. I got a bunch of mail (Monday) from the staff. Everybody like sent an email, like the whole entire staff. They all send me personal letters. That definitely stood out. I’m just taking it slow. I haven’t set up any more officials other my two. I’ll probably set up the rest. I’ll be taking my unofficials the next three weeks. I’ll probably drop my top list within the next threes. South Carolina will probably be part of both of that.”
As for Davis’ decision to go with the Gamecocks over six other finalists, Durojaiye wasn’t caught completely by surprise though Davis never shared his information.
“I kind of head a hint of where he was going because when South Carolina offered me, we did a group a FaceTime with Marshawn (Lloyd) and Deebo (Williams). I was asking things that he probably didn’t ask, and he was asking things that I didn’t ask. He feels great about the program. He was only the third commitment, and he’s confident about where the program is headed. I’m still taking it slow. He’s going to let me go thru it alone, but he definitely would love for me to commit to South Carolina.”
Durojaiye has set official visits to Georgia Tech for June 18th and Arkansas the following week. He plans to return to USC in June but isn’t sure when, and isn’t sure what type of visit it will be. Some of his other offers are Iowa, Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan, Northwestern, Duke and Western Kentucky.
“Nobody is really emerging as a favorite,” Durojaiye said. “I would say that right now, I’m trying to figure out which schools I’ll be visiting. I’ve been hearing from more schools that haven’t offered. Some schools want me to come up for camp. Some schools want me to come check out the campus and visit. I’m not trying to rack up offers. I’m only showing love or reaching out to schools that I’m interested in. Now, I’m just building a relationship with those that did offer, and the ones that are showing interest and haven’t offered yet. I’m just taking the process slowly. I’m open to have ten or less schools for a top list in like mid or late May.”
Last season Durojaiye totaled 50 tackles with 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Other Notes:
- DE Enai White of Philadelphia names a final 8 of Clemson, Alabama, Florida, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon and Miami.
- USC offered 2023 CB Elliot Washington (6-1 190) of Venice, FL.
- 2023 WR Devin Hyatt of Dutch Fork was offered by West Virginia.
