Chapin playmaker Zavier Short flips pledge to South Carolina
Chapin (S.C.) wide receiver/tight end Zavier Short was completely content and happy with his verbal commitment to Appalachian State and set to sign with the Mountaineers during the Early Signing Period.
That was until the one offer that could change his mind came along.
South Carolina offered the 6-foot-2, 210-pound local playmaker two weeks ago and on Tuesday night Short flipped his pledge from App State to the Gamecocks.
He'll sign with South Carolina during a ceremony at Chapin on Wednesday.
ALSO SEE: Inside the commitment - Zavier Short
Short admits it wasn't an easy decision. He had strong relationships with the coaches at App and he likes everything about the program.
But when the dream school comes calling, it's hard not to answer.
"Everything," Short said of what he likes about South Carolina. "Ever since I moved here in fourth grade, it's really been my dream to play at South Carolina and wear the Garnet and Black. It's definitely a tough decision. I love all the coaches at South Carolina. I love how they do things with Beamer. They're definitely an up and coming program, very, very quickly."
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and tight ends coach Erik Kimrey were by Chapin High on Dec. 1 to meet with Short. That's when he learned that the Gamecocks were offering a scholarship.
Despite the official offer coming late in the process, Short has a long-standing relationship with Kimrey.
"He's a great guy. He's definitely my type (of coach). If I could pick any coach to coach me, it would be that type of guy," Short said. "He's real straightforward. He'll tell you if you're doing something right, he'll tell you if you're doing something wrong. He'll give it to you straight. He's been with me the longest and I think he believed in me a little bit longer than everyone else, which has really helped. He's just a great guy."
While Short has played wide receiver throughout his high school career, he's set to play a hybrid H-back role in Columbia and will be in the tight ends room.
"It's practically a new position that they're trying to fit into their offense, just because I think I personally can do multiple things on the field, not just play receiver," Short said. "They told me when I get there, they'll kinda see what I can do first hand and just put me where I fit best and not really try to force me into a certain position, so I wouldn't have to put on an insane amount of weight just to play a certain position, kinda make my own position for me."
Short is the 21st verbal commitment to South Carolina's 2022 class.
He's set to sign with the Gamecocks during a ceremony on Wednesday morning at Chapin High School.
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