JAQUAVIOUS DODD

 

• Introduction: Dodd, a 6'6" and 240 pound Edge from just down the road at Eastside High School in Taylors, South Carolina has made a monumental impact for the Gamecocks before, ever suiting up for his first spring practice. He took it upon himself to become the lead spokesperson and recruiter for this recruiting class. A valuable piece of the puzzle in landing commits such as Donavan Darden and Malik Clark. As a player Dodd has all the tools to become an elite pass rusher at the next level. This kid oozes with potential and has as quick of a first step as you’ll see at his age. What's even more impressive is he did not start playing football till his junior year, as he was all in on basketball and track. Safe to say he made the right choice in his first year on the gridiron he recorded 48 tackles, including 24 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. Cementing himself his senior year as a force to be reckoned with he had 92 total tackles 24 tackles for loss, matching his previous year's achievement, and added 11 sacks. The recruiting industry took notice as On3 has him a top 100 player in their composite rankings. 

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• Recruitment: Jaquavious Dodd’s a gifted athlete with an intriguing background, his initial involvement in football wasn’t a straightforward path. In 2023, he came to South Carolina’s camp as a tight end, but it was Coach Sterling Lucas who saw something more. After pulling Dodd aside, Coach Lucas invited him to work with the defensive line. Though Dodd admits he didn’t perform particularly well at first, something clicked for him that day. He realized defensive end was a position where he could truly develop and excel. Just a year after making the transition, on May 13, 2024, Dodd received an offer from South Carolina, an SEC school for a position he had only been playing for a year. For him, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. “I had been waiting on it for a while,” he said, underscoring his deep desire to become a Gamecock. Dodd has developed a close relationship with Coach Lucas, talking to him daily. Dodd’s unofficial visit to Columbia in 2024 solidified his decision to commit to the Gamecocks. He had already spent time around the program, attending a game and a practice, seeing firsthand how the Gamecocks operate. His experience left him in awe. “I saw how these bulls were working and I feel like they could change my life,” Dodd said. Drawing from his basketball background, Dodd attributes his conditioning, explosiveness, and ability to jump out of his stance as key advantages in his football game. Ultimately, Dodd made the decision to commit to South Carolina on his own terms, with no outside influence. He knew, without a doubt, that this was the place where he could best develop and make an impact.

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• Strength and skills: Jaquavious Dodd is a raw but exceptionally gifted athlete with immense upside, still only scratching the surface of his potential. Dodds describes himself as “A freak athlete that’s gonna get after the ball.” A basketball player at heart, his elite first step and lightning-fast burst off the line make him an immediate threat to chase down quarterbacks from anywhere on the field. His long wingspan and ability to bend allow him to evade blockers and disrupt the pocket with ease. While he’s still refining his technique, Coach Sterling Lucas saw something special in Dodd at the May 2023 camp and has since taken him under his wing, aiming to mold him into a defensive weapon. Lucas reminds him to stay on track with his development, emphasizing the importance of speed over size, urging him not to “eat too much” and to “stay fast” because speed is the key to success. Dodd’s versatility allows him to excel not just as a pass rusher, but also in pursuit, with the conditioning and explosiveness developed from his basketball background making him a dynamic force on the perimeter.