A marquee recruiting victory in the Upstate for USC coach Shane Beamer Sunday afternoon. OT Markee Anderson (6-5 280) of Dorman announced a commitment to the Gamecocks at his church in front of family, friends, teammates and the media by selecting a bottle of syrup sporting a Gamecock logo and pouring some over a batch of pancakes.
Anderson chose USC from a short list that also included Clemson, LSU and North Carolina. He made official visits to all four in June.
But USC got most of his attention during the recruiting process. Anderson made eight visits to see the Gamecocks including games, junior days, unofficial visits, spring practice visits, camps and his official visit. Each visit just made him feel more at home than the next.
“Coach Beamer is a great coach. The relationship we’re building is phenomenal,” Anderson told the gathering after his announcement. “Wednesday was the day I decided. I let Coach Beamer know on Thursday. They just showed me the most love and respect and they’ll take good care of me and my family. I love it down there. The family environment.”
Anderson spent a lot of time talking with offensive line coach Greg Adkins over the months, so he has a good understanding of what the plan is for him.
“They love how physical I am, my height and my speed, ” he said Sunday. And earlier this month, Anderson talked more about what the Gamecocks expect from him. “They see me as a tackle when I’m down there, or possibly inside as an interior person as far as football wise. I’d say (the relationship) is great honestly. I think there is a lot of respect there. I respect him as a coach, and I think he does respect me as a player.”
Anderson was the second offensive linemen to commit to the Gamecocks Sunday following Jatavius Shivers, and he’s the four offensive line commitment for the class, which now numbers 15.
Anderson also is the second in-state prospect to commit publicly to the Gamecocks in as many days. Sumter DE Monteque Rhames released his commitment Saturday night.
2023 USC commitments
- JUDGE COLLIER CB 6-1 190 LEGION COLLEGIATE
- MONTEQUE RHAMES DE 6-6 240 SUMTER
- GRAYSON HOWARD LB 6-3 223 JACKSONVILLE
- JADEN ROBINSON LB 6-1 215 LAKE CITY, FL
- DONTAVIUS BRASWELL RB 5-11 200 SANDERSVILLE, GA
- TROVON BAUGH OT 6-4 315 ATLANTA
- ISAIAH JATTA OT 6-6 310 SNOW JC, UT
- JATAVIUS SHIVERS OT 6-7 270 VILLA RICA, GA
- MARKEE ANDERSON OT 6-5 280 DORMAN
- ZABHARI SANDY SAF 6-1 204 WASHINGTON, DC
- JALON KILGORE SAF 6-2 196 EATONTON, GA
- CONNOR COX TE 6-6 227 JACKSONVILLE
- KAMRON SANDLIN TE 6-4 210 ANNISTON, AL
- KELTON HENDERSON WR 5-11 175 LEHIGH ACRES, FL
- CJ ADAMS WR 6-3 210 MABLETON, GA
