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On July 29, South Carolina received a commitment from JUCO defensive tackle Abu Lamin. According to The Big Spur's Wes Mitchell, Lamin has now officially signed with the Gamecocks and will enroll in January. The 6'4" Lamin is rated a 4-star prospect and the 27th overall JUCO prospect by 247Sports. He remained a sought-after prospect even after committing. Tennessee and Alabama pushed hardest, but he held offers from at least 16 schools, including eight SEC programs. While he played junior college ball in Kansas, Lamin is from Fayetteville, NC, so it's likely that location was a factor here.
It's at a very convenient juncture that Lamin enters the fold. Barring an unlikely turn of events, All-American Kelcy Quarles will depart for the NFL draft. With Clowney leaving early and Chaz Sutton graduating, 75% of South Carolina's starting defensive line will need replacing, and a player of Lamin's size and caliber should be able to contend for the vacant starting defensive tackle role, especially since he'll be able to go through winter practices with the team. He'll have three years of eligibility.
Lamin is listed at 325 pounds, or by GABA metrics, roughly three Tapps.
