USC 4-star commitment going JUCO route, says he’ll join Gamecocks for future class

South Carolina defensive line commitment Zavion Hardy says “some academic trouble from my earlier years of high school” means there’ll be a delay in him officially becoming a Gamecock.

Hardy, a four-star recruit, signed Wednesday to attend and play football for East Mississippi Community College. He said Tuesday night via Twitter that he will go the junior college route— which typically lasts for three or four college semesters — and begin his USC career after the 2024 season.

“Gamecock Nation I appreciate all the love and support you guys have been showing since the day I got offered,” he wrote on social media. “You know we still locked in but unfortunately I ran into some academic trouble from my earlier years of high school and it caught up with me...

“But with that being said I have to attend JUCO (and) I will return December 2024.”

Hardy was the No. 28 ranked high school player Georgia. He committed to South Carolina in August after totaling 56 tackles and seven sacks during his junior season. He also spent time at tight end that year.

Hardy played for Howard High School in Macon, Georgia as a senior and is described by 247Sports as an “explosive player” with a frame that fits the prototype of an SEC defender.

▪ Also Wednesday: South Carolina officially announced the signing of Northwestern High School receiver Elijah Caldwell. ... The Gamecocks are still in the mix for five-star Nyckoles Harbor, who will announce his decision around 1 p.m. on ESPN — though new predictions Wednesday from national pundits were for Harbor to pick Oregon.