| 04 February 2011
Earlier this afternoon, Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks received a signed letter of intent from a "scary fast" receiver.
This was not a surprise, as Damiere Byrd, the WR out of Timber Creek H.S. in Sicklerville, NJ gave his verbal commitment to South Carolina back in October, but did not fax his NLI to USC on signing day.
Why? Because he was on a plane to Japan. Byrd, a 5'8" 155lbs (think Brandon James) speedster was the 5th ranked WR in the state of NJ, and 20th in the country on rivals.com.
For those of you that saw Spurrier's press conference on Wednesday, he mentioned that he could not speak about one of his three recruits from the state of New Jersey. This was due to an NCAA rule that prohibits coaches from publicly speaking about any recruit that has not yet signed an official letter of intent.
However, If Spurrier could have spoken about Damiere Byrd on Signing Day, he most likely would have remarked on Byrd's incredible speed.
The talented WR received Second-team All-State honors in track last Spring, and placed second in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in the 100-meter dash. With Byrd's best times including: 4.26 in the 40, 10.42 for 100 meters, 21.8 for 200 meters and 47.8 for 400 meters, there is no doubt he will bring some outstanding speed to Spurrier's offense next fall.
Damiere Byrd is a great addition to Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery, and it appears that Spurrier has finally stacked all the talent he needs for a perfectly well rounded offense, that may be one of the best we will see in 2011.
When I spoke with Damiere in October, he had plans to not only play football, but to also run track. His parents had also attended his announcement that was held at his high school in NJ, and when Byrd chose the South Carolina cap from the others including Florida, Iowa, Nebraska and Ole Miss, both of his parents removed their jackets, exposing their Garnet and Black hoodies.
Both Damiere and his parents made an official visit to USC for the Alabama at South Carolina football game, when the Gamecocks staged a massive upset with an impressive 35-21 final score. Noting it as one of his most memorable experiences, Damiere described the atmosphere at Williams Brice Stadium as "electric". The Byrds said they were just as impressed with every aspect other of the school, and remarked on the wonderful job that QB Coach G.A. Mangus did in recruiting him.
With or without Jadeveon Clowney, I think Damiere Byrd will prove to be the hidden gem in the 2011 recruiting class at South Carolina.
