4-star DL Xzavier McLeod commits to Gamecocks
August 18, 2022
Coach Beamer lands another impressive in-state recruiting victory Friday night when DT Xzavier McLeod (6-5 324) of Camden announced he has committed to the Gamecocks. McLeod had narrowed his list to the Gamecocks, Georgia, Michigan, and Florida. He also gave LSU, Texas A&M, and Alabama serious consideration.Early in the year, it appeared going to USC was a slam dunk for McLeod, but his eyes opened up quite a bit when some other major Power Five programs started calling. He took visits to many of them, such as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, LSU, and Texas A&M at Florida State. At one point, he said he was leaning more towards leaving the state.
Beamer and the Gamecock coaches stayed steady in their recruiting approach with McLeod. He visited for a junior day in January and put the Gamecocks in a good position with him. He visited in March for spring practice. He attended the spring game in April. And he made one final unofficial visit to USC in late July.
“When I went over there, it’s basically me coming to my actual house. That’s how they make me feel when I come here,” McLeod said earlier this year. “I’m a really important piece to their puzzle for the ’23 class. They said they are trying to offer one guy and want that one guy to be me. They are really emphasizing me being the best player.”
McLeod added that what he heard from Beamer and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey made him feel comfortable about going their way.
“I listened to everything they had to say, and I felt as if what they were saying was true, and I feel like I am a big part of their class,” McLeod said. “When they say that, that makes me feel welcomed and wanted like they actually have a mission and I’m the key to the puzzle to finish that mission. I feel great.”
McLeod said after watching Lindsey coach his defensive line in a spring practice he would be very comfortable with what they do with their defensive front.
“Most of the drills that he does we do in practice, so I’m real familiar with what they are doing,” he said. “I think they are very sound on defense. They fire off fast. They are pretty agile. I think Coach Lindsey is doing a good job with them.”
Last season McLeod recorded 58 total tackles with 6 sacks and 21 quarterback pressure
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