USC missed on a defensive tackle target earlier this week when Jamari Lyons of Melbourne, FL committed to Florida. 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 DT Demetrius Watson (6-2 285), 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 said he does not have a definite 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 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 and some of the after the game conferences.”
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 find 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.
Having dreams about Playing for the Gamecocks? He needs to realize, those are nightmares!