Patriots' Gentry commits to South Carolina

"Blessed to say that I've verbally committed to play football for The University of South Carolina #gogamecocks"

That's how Homewood defensive end Griffin Gentry announced on Twitter Wednesday night that he had changed from his oral commitment to Troy to South Carolina.

He didn't get an offer from South Carolina until coach Ben Berguson got the word at halftime of the Patriots' game at Jackson-Olin on Oct. 23.

Shawn Elliott is the South Carolina interim coach after Steve Spurrier stepped down last month. Linebackers coach Kirk Botkin has been recruiting Gentry, who is 6-2, 260.

"I'm proud of him," Berguson said. "I know that's what he's wanted all along, is to play in the SEC.

"They had looked at him and the thing that worried them is his height. But I think he's proved the way he's played that's not a concern. He's such a presence whether he's making the tackle or not because they have to run away from him."

Homewood hosts Huntsville-Lee on Friday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A playoffs.