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Four-star defensive tackle Dexter Wideman signed with South Carolina on Wednesday, flipping his commitment to the Gamecocks at the 11th hour from the Florida State Seminoles. The Saulda, S.C. native committed to FSU on July 22 but was nevertheless considered a USC lean throughout most of his recruitment. The 6'4, 255-pound lineman is the No. 14 defensive tackle and the 116th-ranked overall prospect in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports Composite recruiting index.
Though he projects long-term as a defensive tackle, Wideman could begin his Gamecock career at defensive end. Not only is it a position of tremendous need for Carolina entering 2014, but Wideman also has the versatility and athleticism to come around the edge at the next level before he starts to fill out. Once he does, the Gamecocks will be absolutely stacked at defensive tackle, with Philip Dukes and Gerald Dixon, Jr. slated to be upperclassmen in 2015 and former four-star signees Abu Lamin and Kelsey Griffin working their way into the mix as well.
One thing to keep in mind with Wideman is that he has some work to do in the classroom to be academically eligible. If he can avoid being placed in prep school or junior college, he'll be in great position to be compete for playing time as a true freshman.
