Shane Beamer, South Carolina add transfer to boost secondary
South Carolina added a second commitment of the day Friday night.
Former Washington State safety Tyrese Ross pledged to the Gamecocks, just hours after four-star 2022 quarterback Braden Davis announced his commitment earlier in the day.
“It came down to a couple of schools,” Ross said. “Coach [Clayton] White and the rest of the staff emphasized how much they wanted me and the need for me.”
Ross, a Jacksonville, Florida native, entered the transfer portal on Jan. 19 and finished his time in Pullman with 35 tackles, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble over 17 games played.
The former Cougar appeared in just one contest for Washington State in 2020 and missed three others for undisclosed reasons. He did not travel with the team to USC, Utah or Oregon State, according to The Spokesman-Review.
Ross was credited with two tackles in his lone appearance this season against Oregon.
“They mentioned my aggressiveness and physicality,” Ross said. “My ability to come down hill and make tackles. Also, being a leader and a vocal guy. We didn’t talk about me playing one position because I played the strong and the free. They definitely emphasized me being able to make those tackles and those open field plays.”
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said after the spring game last week that the Gamecocks could still add a few names to the roster, but that it would have to be under the right circumstances.
At safety, the Gamecocks should rely heavily on returning starter R.J. Roderick. Redshirt junior Jaylin Dickerson is also back in the fold, but has struggled with injuries during his South Carolina career.
Redshirt senior Jaylan Foster has also seen a number of snaps this spring and could be in the mix for some come the fall.
Ross knows there are opportunities for him, but he doesn’t want anything handed to him.
“I’m a type of guy who wants to earn your trust and your loyalty,” he said. “I’m not looking for anybody to butter me up. I just want to be a part of the family. However, I can do that at any position, that’s what I’m willing to do.”
— Phil Kornblut contributed to this story.
This story was originally published April 30, 2021 at 10:20 PM with the headline "Shane Beamer, South Carolina add transfer to boost secondary."
