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3 South Carolina Football early signees who’ll have instant impacts

By Jackson Caudell

Dec 30, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer reacts after winning the 2021 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer reacts after winning the 2021 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer late during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer late during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Keenan Nelson Jr (Defensive Back)

The highest-rated recruit on the defensive side of the football for South Carolina football this cycle was Keenan Nelson Jr.

Nelson is a 6-1/200 LBS safety from Philadelphia and was a massive steal for the Gamecocks. Being from Pennsylvania, Nelson was thought to be a recruit that Penn State was going to sign. However, Beamer went out of state and signed one of the best defensive backs in the country.

Nelson Jr. earned a high honor by being named to the All-American bowl roster. He has a great frame to be a safety in the SEC and should be able to play in coverage and down around the line of scrimmage to help the run. It is even possible that Nelson could slide to the outside and play cornerback for the Gamecocks.

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He has the length and athleticism that teams covet, so that could factor into the position that he plays. Either way, Nelson is going to be an impact player for South Carolina Football in 2022.