With a need for immediate help on the defensive line, South Carolina is turning to the JUCO ranks for help.
Independence C.C. (Kan.) three-star defensive tackle Dantrell Barkley gave his pledge to Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks on Tuesday.
A Kannapolis, N.C. native, the 6-foot-2.5, 287-pounder visited South Carolina for camp earlier this month and knew then that he wanted to join the program.
"When I walked on campus, I felt like I was surrounded by a great coaching staff," Barkley said. "I got a chance to meet some of the players and they said a lot of great things about the coaching staff. I love the strength coach and the relationship I have with coach (Bobby) Bentley and coach (Lance) Thompson. I've known them for a long time and I've gotten to know them really well."
*** Go Inside the Commitment: What are Gamecocks getting in Barkley and how did it go down? ***
Barkley chose South Carolina over Colorado and Colorado State.
Thompson, the Gamecocks defensive line coach, has sold Barkley on his opportunity to compete for playing time in his first year.
"He's basically been saying that he knows I'm going to have college experience playing against older guys since I've played at JUCO," Barkley said. "But I also have something that some JUCOs don't have, I'm a three-for-three grad, so I'm able to come in and play but I'm also young enough to be around for a little while. He just said that he wants a player that is athletic and can do things that most linemen aren't able to do."
Bentley, Barkley's recruiter of record, first made contact with him when he was at A.L Brown High School.
"He's coached some high school kids, so he knows high school kids and their mindset," Barkley said. "I met him probably towards the end of my senior year and I didn't have not one D1 school recruiting me. But he kept telling me to stay on my grades and trust the process and they offered me back in February."
Barkley is the No. 10 commitment to South Carolina's 2018 class.
Barkley has three seasons to play three and will arrive in Columbia in January.
