#STRecruiting: #Gamecocks get a nighttime pledge from in-state EDGE Dodd

🔥It has been a crazy ride and I am excited to announce that I have committed to The University of South Carolina. I want to thank everyone who has helped me on this journey. I am looking forward to the next chapter and feel great that I have found a school to call home.… pic.twitter.com/kyQXVMNFCN

— Jaquavious Dodd (@QuayDaDon44) June 21, 2024

USC landed another commitment for the 2025 class on Thursday night when DE Jaquavious Dodd (6-6 225) of Eastside High in Taylors announced his pledge to the Gamecocks on social media. Dodd is a high-level athlete who also plays tight end for the Eagles in football, is a forward on the basketball team, and runs track.

South Carolina defensive end coach Sterling Lucas has known Dodd well since last summer and made him an official offer in May.

“I went down there a year ago for a camp, and I had a blast,” Dodd said recently. “I originally went down there for tight end, but then they brought me over there because they said I’d be a D-end. I was playing tight end at the time. Then, I started playing D-end for my school, and I found out that I was good at it, and I’ve been playing it ever since. I went down to Carolina again for a day game, and I loved the atmosphere. They were flying around out there, and I wished I was on the field.”

He was a monster at defensive end last season, accumulating 53 tackles along with 13 sacks.

Dodd, who was scheduled to take his official visit to Virginia Tech this weekend, chose the Gamecocks over the Hokies, Virginia, and UConn. He took official visits to Virginia and Connecticut earlier this month. Dodd also had offers from Georgia State, Gardner-Webb, Richmond, Appalachian State, Liberty, East Carolina, Miami of Ohio, Howard and Wofford.

Dodd is the 14th commitment for the Gamecocks 2025 class and the sixth from the state of South Carolina. He’s also the second defensive end for the class.

USC 2025 COMMITMENTS

1. SHAMARI EARLS                          CB      6-2   185             CHESTER, VA
2. ANTHONY ADDISON                    DE      6-3   215             SUMTER
3. KOBBY SAKYI-PRAH                    DE      6-3   225             ROSWELL, GA
4. JAQUAVIOUS DODD                    DE      6-6   225             EASTSIDE
5. CALEB WILLIAMS                          DT      6-6   250             CHESTERFIELD, VA
6. JAQUEL HOLMAN                         LB       6-2   200             BLACKVILLE-HILDA
7. AJ HOLLOWAY                              LB       6-3   225             BUFORD, GA
8. SHED SARRATT                            OT      6-5   290             GAFFNEY
9. MAX KELLEY                                PK/P   6-2   210             GALLATIN, TN
10. DAMARCUS LEACH                      SAF    6-3   185             ABBEVILLE
11. CHRISTOPHER HATFIELD            SAF    6-3   187             LINCOLNTON, GA
12. PRESTON DOUGLAS                    TE       6-4   220             NORTH PALM BEACH, FL
13. JAYDEN SELLERS                        WR     6-0   170             SOUTH FLORENCE
14. BRIAN ROWE                                WR     6-1   180             CONCORD, NC