Gamecocks add big-time JUCO defensive tackle to class
One of the country’s highest-ranked junior college defenders is making his way back to the Palmetto State to play for the Gamecocks.
Scooba (Mississippi) East Mississippi Community College four-star defensive tackle Elijah Davis, who played his high school football at Wagener-Salley, has announced a commitment to Shane Beamer’s South Carolina program.
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On3 is high on Davis’ abilities on the field, ranking him as the nation’s number one junior college defensive lineman.
He’s tabbed by On3 as the nation’s third-best JUCO prospect regardless of position.
“The Wagener, S.C. native is a disruptive defensive lineman with the ability to line up at various spots along the front,” said On3’s Charles Power.
The four-star prospect was in Columbia over the weekend once again, but took his official visit back in October.
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It’s a trip he gave high marks to during a previous conversation with GamecockCentral.com.
“Our relationship is good, talk to them almost every week, just to keep updated about what’s going on and stuff,” Davis said at the time. “They were saying they need a guy like me, just to come in, and plug and play — Zacch Pickens is leaving.”
Indeed, Pickens has followed through with plans to depart Columbia following the 2022 season; he accepted an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and will not play in the Gator Bowl later this month.
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Davis chose the Gamecocks over an impressive list of offers, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and numerous others. He took an official visit to Knoxville last weekend.
Shane Beamer’s approach appears to have paid off when it comes to the talented lineman’s choice as well.
“I like him a lot,” Davis said of Beamer back in October. “He’s cool. You can tell he’s a family guy, that’s a thing that I like. Keeping the coaches connected to the players, that’s something I really look at.”
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder finished the 2022 season with 25 tackles and a forced fumble in 10 games of action.
He is expected to be an early graduate from East Mississippi and will enroll at South Carolina in January, giving him the opportunity to go through spring drills with the team in 2023.
For South Carolina, tight ends coach Jody Wright served as the area recruiter, while defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey was heavily involved in Davis’ recruitment since joining Beamer’s staff.
