Gamecocks add two

With just one day until National Signing Day, the South Carolina Gamecocks are that much closer to meeting all of their needs for the class of 2010 after picking up two verbal commitments on Monday night.

Southwest Dekalb standout safety Sharrod Golightly and Fort Scott Community College JUCO DT Byron Jerideau gave their verbal pledges to the Gamecock coaching staff. Both prospects will sign with Carolina on Wednesday.

Golightly, a 5-11, 167-pound safety, from Decatur, Ga. officially visited South Carolina this past weekend, and reportedly had an excellent visit, though he hasn't been available for comment since then. The three-star prospect had been committed to Vanderbilt since July, but informed the Vandy staff of his decision to sign with the Gamecocks today.

Golightly was recruited to South Carolina by defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward. Golightly also had offers from Ole Miss and N.C. State. He was not available for comment following his commitment.

The 6-1, 320-pound Jerideau was offered by USC recruiting coordinator Shane Beamer on Monday and committed to the Gamecocks on the same day. The big defensive tackle is originally from Walterboro, S.C.

When Jerideau didn't quality out of high school, he decided to follow his high school football coach to Fort Scott where he had just taken a job.

After redshirting the first year, Jerideau racked up an impressive 71 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks in his second year at Fort Scott.

Jerideau was committed to Eastern Michigan and also picked up offers from Washington State and Baylor Monday.

But South Carolina was where he always wanted to be.

“When (Beamer) called it was wild,” Jerideau told The Times and Democrat. “It was like a dream come true. When they called, it was like the answer to my prayers.

“My goal is to go in there and start by any means necessary,” he added. “Right now, since I know I’m going there, I work out every day, but now I’m working out harder so that when I get there, I’m ready to make an impact.”

Jerideau will have three to play three for the Gamecocks.