USC’s newest commitment Whitfield excited about opportunity
October 14, 2015
by Phil Kornblut Link: SportsTalk
DL Darius Whitfield of Mobile, AL committed to USC Tuesday, a day in which the USC program was shaken by the unexpected resignation of head coach Steve Spurrier. But Whitfield said that news didn’t shake him from his desire to join the Gamecocks who have been recruiting him since his sophomore year.
“I kind of made my mind up in late September,” Whitfield said. “They were just showing interest, showing interest, showing interest. I’ve been talking to South Carolina since the end of my sophomore year and it’s just always felt like a sincere place and home for me.”
Whitfield hasn’t been to the campus yet but he has watched team from afar. He’s seen the struggles on defense but is not discouraged.
“Even though they’ve been struggling a little bit they’ve been swarming to the ball,” said Whitfield who projects as a three technique defensive tackle. “That first half against LSU impressed me, just stopping the run, showing effort and making plays.”
Tuesday’s developments with Steve Spurrier stepping down leads to an uncertain future about the coaching staff. Whitfield is close with recruiter Kirk Botkin and wants to hang in with the Gamecocks, but he’s still going to move cautiously until the new coach and staff are set.
“I’m going to still look into things but right now that doesn’t concern me,” he said. “They have a good academic program and the fans are crazy. I love the fans. I’m glad to be a South Carolina Gamecock.”
Whitfield, whose brother plays at Alabama, helped his team win a state championship and go undefeated last season. He has six sacks so far this season.
October 14, 2015
by Phil Kornblut Link: SportsTalk
DL Darius Whitfield of Mobile, AL committed to USC Tuesday, a day in which the USC program was shaken by the unexpected resignation of head coach Steve Spurrier. But Whitfield said that news didn’t shake him from his desire to join the Gamecocks who have been recruiting him since his sophomore year.
“I kind of made my mind up in late September,” Whitfield said. “They were just showing interest, showing interest, showing interest. I’ve been talking to South Carolina since the end of my sophomore year and it’s just always felt like a sincere place and home for me.”
Whitfield hasn’t been to the campus yet but he has watched team from afar. He’s seen the struggles on defense but is not discouraged.
“Even though they’ve been struggling a little bit they’ve been swarming to the ball,” said Whitfield who projects as a three technique defensive tackle. “That first half against LSU impressed me, just stopping the run, showing effort and making plays.”
Tuesday’s developments with Steve Spurrier stepping down leads to an uncertain future about the coaching staff. Whitfield is close with recruiter Kirk Botkin and wants to hang in with the Gamecocks, but he’s still going to move cautiously until the new coach and staff are set.
“I’m going to still look into things but right now that doesn’t concern me,” he said. “They have a good academic program and the fans are crazy. I love the fans. I’m glad to be a South Carolina Gamecock.”
Whitfield, whose brother plays at Alabama, helped his team win a state championship and go undefeated last season. He has six sacks so far this season.