USC didn’t land DT D’Andre Martin (6-4 293) of Durham, NC the first time he made a commitment. Virginia Tech did. But the Gamecocks got the commitment that mattered the most, the one that will lead to him signing with the Gamecocks next week. Martin publicly announced his commitment to the Gamecocks Tuesday afternoon. It is believed he actually committed privately to Shane Beamer following his official visit the weekend of the Auburn game, after which Beamer tweeted a commitment alert.
Martin attended camp at USC last summer and that’s where he started developing his relationship with defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey. That relationship continued to build as Lindsey kept up his recruiting despite Martin originally choosing the Hokies.
“I love the energy,” Martin said of the USC coaches. “They’ve always shown support, making sure I’ve got everything I need and the tools to be able to be great.”
Martin returned to USC for their recruiting cookout in late July, and then the official visit in November pushed the Gamecocks over the top with him.
“It was great. Coaches were great, players were great, food was great,” Martin said. “I couldn’t complain. I loved the walk into the stadium. Oh, my goodness, I loved it.”
Lindsey was in last week to see Martin at his home, and Monday night he was back with Beamer to put the final touches on their arrangement. Martin is hoping to be an early contributor with the Gamecocks. He will sign next week and enroll in January, and he’ll be ready to get to work for Lindsey this spring.
“Their plan is really good,” he said “Me and coach Lindsey communicate very well, communicate often. Me and coach Lindsey are pretty tight. I can almost call coach Lindsey about anything and just rap to him about, hey coach, I need some help, or hey coach, can you help team me this, and we can chop it up.”
Martin is the 19th commitment for the Gamecocks’ 2022 class and fourth for the defensive line.
Isn’t he the 5th DL commit? Or did Bryan Thomas Jr. commit as a LB?
I have Thomas as a DE/OLB type and do not include him with interior defensive linemen.
Oh ok gotcha. Does Jamaal Whyce project more as a DT or SDE? Just wondering what you think, because I believe 247 had him as a SDE, before they lumped all of those types in with the DT’s for their rankings.
I think DE.