The Final Cockdown: #17 Chaz Elder

Chaz Elder
Redshirt Freshman
6'2", 199 lbs.
Union City, GA

Recruitment:
4 stars, #19 safety in the 2012 class
Other offers: Georgia, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Louisville, LSU, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Purdue, Vanderbilt

College Career:
Redshirted as a true freshman.

2013 Outlook:
Elder, who committed to South Carolina on national television at the Under Armour All-America Game, represents another one of Lorenzo Ward's premier pickups from the Atlanta area. Despite being listed as a strong safety, he looks to play in a reserve role behind Brison Williams at free safety, allowing JJ Marcus and TJ Gurley to from the two-deep at boundary safety. Elder's biggest splash as Gamecock came in this year's spring game when he intercepted Dylan Thompson and broke off a 44 yard return. Here's his tremendously awkward press session after the spring game.

Trivia:
Despite his surname, is the younger of the two Chazzes on the Gamecock roster.

Possible Todd Ellis play-by-play call:
"Georgia's deep in Carolina territory, defense looking for a stop. Aaron Murray takes the snap, looking, finally throws across the middle, and it's picked off! That's Chaz Elder, the redshirt freshman, who acrobatically snags Aaron Murray's pass, reeling in the INT! OH MY! Folks, he's only a freshman but he looked an awful lot like an 'Elder Statesman' on that one!"