Gamecocks Football Recruiting: Shaq Roland Commits

The South Carolina Gamecocks picked up a verbal commitment from the state’s top overall prospect when receiver Shaq Roland (Lexington, S.C.) decided it was time to tell the world he plans to wear the ‘garnet and black’ at the next level.

Roland picked South Carolina over Alabama and Georgia. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder posted on his Facebook page shortly after speaking with USC recruiting coordinator and receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. that “it’s finally done. I’ve committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks.”

Shaq is the state of South Carolina’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 63 overall recruit according to Rivals.com.  Roland is a four-star recruit with a numerical grade of 96 according to 247Sports and is the highest-rated prospect to date to commit to South Carolina in the 2012 class. He is the nation’s No. 5 athlete prospect according to 247Sports.

Roland had 58 receptions last season for 1033 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 684 yards and 10 touchdowns, and had 3 interceptions on defense.

This is the third consecutive year that the Gamecocks have landed the state’s top player, following Marcus Lattimore and Jadeveon Clowney.

Roland is commitment No. 13 for USC.  This commitment gives USC their third at wide reciever in a week and second in two days. Roland joins Kwinton Smith from Dillon, SC and Jody Fuller from Monroe, NC as the WR commitments for the 2012 class.

Here is a video of the newest Gamecock in action:

As you can see Shaq Roland was a do-it-all player for the Lexington Wildcats, rushing, receiving, taking back kicks and even passing some.  This will come in handy for the Gamecocks in the future as a playmaker.  Question is – will he also play basketball at USC?

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