Four-star Desmond Umeozulu commits to South Carolina
A hot streak for Shane Beamer and Gamecock football on the recruiting trail continued on Monday with the addition of four-star EDGE prospect Desmond Umeozulu.
The Upper Marlboro (Maryland) Charles Herbert Flowers product announced his commitment to South Carolina during a ceremony at his high school. Umeozulu chose the Gamecocks over scholarship offers from Ohio State, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh, among others.
The On3 Consensus – a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies – ranks Umeozulu as the number 172 overall prospect in the country the 25th-best EDGE in the nation, and the fourth-best prospect in the state of Maryland.
Umeozulu took an unofficial visit to Columbia back in May, following that up with an official visit to check out Gamecock football in more depth in the middle of June. Sterling Lucas, heading into his first season on the field for South Carolina, has been credited by Umeozulu in the past for the school’s positive positioning for his services.
“He just shows a real genuine relationship,” Umeozulu told GamecockCentral.com back in June.
With a 92.05 overall ranking from the On3 Consensus, Umeozulu is now the third-highest ranked prospect regardless of position in the 2023 Gamecock football recruiting class. He checks in just behind offensive lineman Markee Anderson and defensive lineman Zavion Hardy and right in front of defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod.
The acquisition gives South Carolina 20 total commitments in the 2023 class. It also represents the landing of another blue-chip prospect out the talent-rich DMV region for Shane Beamer. In addition to Umeozulu, Gamecock football also now has Maryland products Zahbari Sandy and Oluwatosin Babalade committed. Five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor remains on the board as another major target.
On3’s scouting report on Umeozulu gives more insight into the newest Gamecock football commitment’s potential impact at the next level:
Long-limbed edge rusher whose burst and length allow him to consistently terrorize offensive tackles on Friday nights. Solid hand usage. Rarely allows offensive lineman to get their hands on his chest. Quality bend and flexibility given his size. Measures in at a legitimate 6-foot-6, 200 pounds with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. Jumped an impressive 28.5-inch vertical and ran an electronically-timed 4.65 shuttle during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Would like to see some development in his change of direction. Appears heavy-footed at times. High upside prospect due to size and functional athletic ability.
