Ole Miss Linebacker TJ Dottery Visits South Carolina Gamecocks
In a surprising twist to his recruitment saga, Ole Miss linebacker commit TJ Dottery paid an official visit to the South Carolina Gamecocks over the weekend, sparking speculation about a possible shift in his college football future. Dottery, a highly-touted linebacker prospect from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has been committed to the Rebels since the summer of 2023, but his visit to South Carolina has raised eyebrows and left fans and analysts wondering if a decommitment could be in the works.
Dottery, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 220 pounds, has been one of the top recruits for Ole Miss this cycle. As a key piece in their defensive future, he had been a vocal supporter of the Rebels and had given every indication that he was locked into his commitment. However, his trip to Columbia, South Carolina, marked a significant development in the recruitment process.
The visit to South Carolina was seen as an opportunity for Dottery to evaluate the Gamecocks’ program firsthand and get a closer look at what they have to offer. He toured the facilities, met with head coach Shane Beamer and defensive staff, and experienced the atmosphere of the Gamecocks’ football program. Sources close to the situation suggest that the visit went well, with Dottery reportedly impressed by the coaching staff’s vision for him and the direction of the program.
South Carolina’s defense, which showed marked improvement under Beamer’s leadership in 2023, has been a key selling point for the Gamecocks in recruiting, and Dottery’s visit is seen as part of their ongoing efforts to secure top-tier talent for their defense. With Dottery being one of the top linebacker prospects in the region, his potential fit in South Carolina’s defensive scheme has been a major point of interest.
For Ole Miss, the visit has raised concerns. Dottery has been a key piece of the Rebels’ 2024 recruiting class, and his commitment was seen as a major win for head coach Lane Kiffin. While it is not uncommon for recruits to take official visits to other programs even after committing, the timing of Dottery’s trip to South Carolina has led to growing uncertainty about whether he will stick with his pledge to Ole Miss or flip to the Gamecocks.
As of now, Dottery has not publicly commented on his visit, leaving fans and analysts to speculate about what his next move will be. If Dottery decides to flip his commitment, it would be a significant blow to Ole Miss’ defensive plans but a major coup for South Carolina, which has been making strides on the recruiting trail. The coming weeks will likely offer more clarity on the future of this highly-regarded linebacker prospect.
