South Carolina football adds transfer commitment from former ACC starter Terrell Dawkins

South Carolina added a commitment from the transfer portal this weekend to a big area of need when former North Carolina State defensive end Terrell Dawkins announced he will be joining the Gamecocks.

“I trust God more than man, thankful for this opportunity #Spursup,” Dawkins posted to his Twitter account.

Former North Carolina State defensive end Terrell Dawkins  is transferring to South Carolina. Here he is chasing North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Former North Carolina State defensive end Terrell Dawkins is transferring to South Carolina. Here he is chasing North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Dawkins (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) redshirted in his 2019 freshman season, playing four games all on special teams after undergoing surgery. He emerged as a big contributor in his second year when he started six games and led all ACC freshman with 4 1/2 sacks which was second on the team. He ranked fourth on the team with nine tackles for loss and was presented his team's Philip Rivers Award as top rookie.

Last season he was hampered by injury after undergoing surgery and was limited to 113 snaps over 10 games when he totaled just six tackles. He entered the transfer portal on Dec. 30 and has three years of elibility remaining.

Dawkins played at Concord, North Carolina's Cox Mill High School where he was a three-star recruit ranked No. 625 overall and 40th at his position according to the 247Sports Composite. His offers included Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina.

His father, Tommy Dawkins Sr. played defensive end for Appalachian State before two games with the Steelers in 1987. His brother, Tommy Dawkins Jr., plays defensive end at Appalachian State.

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Dawkins is USC's third addition from the transfer portal for 2022, joining former Oklahoma players Spencer Rattler and Austin Stogner who have signed with the Gamecocks.

USC has two talented defensive ends primed to start next year in rising junior Jordan Burch (26 tackles, 2 1/2 for loss and a sack last year) and sixth-year returnee Jordan Strachan (25 tackles, six for loss, three sacks). The team lost two key veterans at the position with the departure of star Kingsley Enagbare (seven tackles for loss with 4 1/2 sacks) and Aaron Sterling (four tackles for loss with 2 1/2 sacks).

The remaining trio of edge rushers listed on the roster -- Rod Fitten, Gilver Edmond and Tyreek Johnson -- have all played sparingly over their careers.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Terrell Dawkins announces commitment to South Carolina football