USC football coach Shane Beamer continued to piece together what appears to be a high-quality recruiting class for 2023 with a public commitment Monday morning from DE Desmond Umeozulu (6-6 240) of Upper Marlboro, MD. His decision came down to the Gamecocks, Ohio State, North Carolina and Pitt, the four schools he visited officially in June.
Umeozulu emerged this spring as a major national target with offers from coast to coast. Those included Clemson, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Washington, Southern Cal, Penn State, Texas, Georgia, West Virginia, Northwestern, Tennessee, Florida State and Oklahoma.
Umeozulu made unofficial visits to Clemson and USC and early May. The interest with Clemson never materialized to a strong degree, but Umeozulu took to the Gamecocks and defensive ends coach Sterling Lucas. While he visited USC twice during the process, he also visited his other finalists at least twice. In fact, he went to North Carolina four times.
Umeozulu is considered an excellent pass rusher off the edge with the ability to play down in a stance or straight up. His speed and quickness allows him to make plays in space.
Umeozulu gives the Gamecocks 20 commitments for their 2023 class including three from the Washington, DC area. Along with Zavion Hardy and Monteque Rhames, he gives defensive coordinator Clayton White a trio of young defensive ends to develop. The Gamecocks class is now split 50-50 between offensive and defensive players.
2023 USC commitments:
- JUDGE COLLIER CB 6-1 190 LEGION COLLEGIATE
- MONTEQUE RHAMES DE 6-6 240 SUMTER
- ZAVION HARDY DE 6-6 240 MACON, GA
- DESMOND UMEOZULU DE 6-6 240 UPPER MARLBORO, MD
- XZAVIER MCLEOD DT 6-5 324 CAMDEN
- GRAYSON HOWARD LB 6-3 223 JACKSONVILLE
- 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
- OLUWATOSIN BABALATE OT 6-5 296 HYATTSVILLE, MD
- MARKEE ANDERSON OT 6-5 280 DORMAN
- ZABHARI SANDY SAF 6-1 204 WASHINGTON, DC
- JALON KILGORE SAF 6-2 196 EATONTON, GA
- CAMERON UPSHAW SAF 6-3 185 PERRY, FL
- VICARI SWAIN SAF 6-0 175 CARROLLTON, 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
