ESPN 300 defensive lineman Dexter Wideman (Saluda, S.C./Saluda), who had been committed to Florida State since July, announced Wednesday that he will instead sign with South Carolina. The No. 179-ranked player took his official visit to FSU last weekend, but his desire to stay at home was just too strong in the end.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound athlete has the size to move inside but the athleticism to stay at defensive end. He will join another ESPN 300 defensive lineman in Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett). Three-star defensive tackle Blake McClain (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood), like Wideman, flipped his commitment to South Carolina from another school, Nebraska.
With development, Wideman has a chance to make an impact at South Carolina.
“[Wideman is] capable of being disruptive with quick penetration,” his RecruitingNation scouting report reads
. "A physical kid who can be violent with his hands, has the strength to push blockers aside and when he stays low he can be a tough and stout run defender.”
The Gamecocks now have 20 committed or signed players, including nine in the ESPN 300, and are still awaiting word from ESPN 300 defensive back Wesley Green (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King), who is set to make his decision later Wednesday.
