Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) defensive end
Roderick Byers bucked the trend to become a Duck.
While most of South Carolina's best players have opted to commit to in-state (or, at least, Southeastern) colleges, he announced his verbal commitment to the Oregon Ducks on Wednesday.
Byers (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) had offers from Clemson and South Carolina, but ultimately thought the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) school which played for the FBS title was the best spot for him.
"I visited Oregon last weekend and made my decision while I was there," Byers told the Rock Hill Herald. "It felt like home; great coaches, great school and great facilities. The coaches told me I will compete right away - could even start. That's my goal.
"The recruiting process is tough. Everybody seemed to be pushing me to South Carolina. Some wanted me at Clemson. It's going to be tough being away from my family. I'm a high school senior making a man's decision. It was hard because all three schools are good."
He finished his senior season, in which the Trojans were undefeated and won the 4A Div. II state championship, with 98 tackles, eight quarterback pressures, seven sacks and four tackles for loss.
He isn't the only Trojan who has committed to a FBS school, as quarterback
Justin Worley (Tennessee) and defensive lineman
Gerald Dixon (South Carolina) have also committed.
Jason Gilmer is an award-winning writer who has covered football in South Carolina for more than a decade. He does a statewide high school football blog on GoUpstate.com. You can reach him at palmettofootballtalkblog@gmail.com.
