South Carolina had one junior college signee come off the 2024 recruiting class when DT Jerome Simmons wasn’t able to make it into school for this semester. He may come in in January. So, with a spot open on the roster, the Gamecocks today made a move on a junior college offensive lineman who just achieved the required academic hours to be able to transfer to a Division One program.
OT Kamarii Landers (6-5 300) of Detroit started his career at Akron in 2022 and played last season at Copiah-Lincoln JC, MS. He garnered 23 hours of academic credit this summer to make him eligible at the highest level, and the offers have started to roll in. South Carolina was one of the first on Tuesday, though offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley has been watching Landers for months.
“They first hit me up, their O-line coach, right before the spring semester ended. He asked me when was I set to graduate, all that type of thing. I told him after the summer,” Landers said. “He told me then, we like your film a lot. We think you’re the best JUCO player. We’re going to stay in touch with you. About a week later he hit me back again, and through the whole summer, every couple of days he checked on me making sure I’m doing good in school. About three weeks ago when it started to come to fruition that I probably will get it all done, he started recruiting me super heavy. All their coaches started reaching out about two weeks ago. About the past two weeks, we’ve been talking almost every day or every other day, seeing what’s going on, making sure I can get my transcripts in. If I work, he really likes me, I could get a chance to crack the rotation and runs with the twos, or if I do good enough, get a chance to run with the ones if I’m in shape enough.”
Landers has never visited South Carolina, but he said he’s watched them over the years because of one of the most famous plays in the program’s history.
“My most valid memory of South Carolina, and I’m from Detroit, is seeing our running back get smacked by Jadeveon Clowney in the backfield,” Landers said. “Every time I see them, I know all the players that went to the league like (Xavier) Leggette, JC (Horn), all the linemen. I’ve super kept up with them.”
Coming out of high school, Landers named a top seven of Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oregon, West Virginia and Cincinnati. Besides South Carolina, other offers for Landers on Tuesday included Baylor, Houston, and Utah State. Arkansas offered on July 26th. He also has offers from Marshall, Jackson State, Tennessee State, Troy and Coastal Carolina. He wants to move quickly with his decision so he can get to work.
“I’ve been talking to a whole lot of schools. We’re just all trying to get my transcripts through,” Landers said. “Everybody is just waiting on my transcripts to get run through their system. Everything is cool with South Carolina. I could commit there today if I want. Within the next 24-36 hours to be honest (on a decision). I’m trying to be in school by next week. I kind of like Baylor and South Carolina the most to be honest with you. They’re the two schools that’s right now at the top of my list.”
The Gamecocks have 35 scholarship newcomers on their 2024 roster at this point, including six for the offensive line.