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Jatius Geer to return to Gamecocks in 2025, signs NIL deal with Garnet Trust

by:George Bagwell•12/13/24
https://www.on3.com/jatius-geer-to-return-to-south-carolina-in-2025-signs-nil-deal-with-garnet-trust/
Jatius Geer (Photo by CJ Driggers/GamecockCentral)

On Friday, South Carolina defensive end Jatius Geer inked a new Name, Image, and Likeness deal with Garnet Trust. This signals his return to the Gamecocks in 2025.

The one-time Syracuse transfer wrapped up his second year with South Carolina football in 2024. Appearing in nine games, Geer totaled eight tackles, including three and a sack against Oklahoma. In two years with the program, Geer has appeared in 18 games and amounted 18 tackles.

Geer was formerly a 3-star recruit from Anderson, South Carolina in the class of 2021. He is entering his fifth season of college football. He spent two years with Syracuse, collecting 3.5 sacks in the 2022 season.

With Kyle Kennard running out of eligibility, the EDGE position will have openings for contributors to step up. Star freshman Dylan Stewart has already announced his plans to return, but Geer will have a chance to step into a starting role.

In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, player retention efforts are critical as teams fight to remain competitive. This is especially true for a South Carolina squad hoping to build off a strong 9-3 showing in 2024.

“Kudos to our fanbase, kudos to our administration, kudos to the Garnet Trust for all they’ve done to be able to help us and our guys out in so many ways,” Beamer said of South Carolina’s efforts in player retention last year. “This program is about relationships, honesty, and trust, and having conversations with guys, and building relationships throughout the season. Guys have expressed to us that they want to be (here).”

“I think retaining our current roster is the most important thing,” added Darren Uscher, South Carolina football’s Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting, during a recent appearance on GC Live.

Geer’s return adds to the Gamecocks’ front line on defense, which ranked amongst the best units in the country in 2024.

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Jatius Geer Bio

* 2023-24 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll

Fourth-year EDGE rusher who joined the team in the summer of 2023 after spending two seasons at Syracuse… high effort performer who has been hampered by injuries since his arrival in Columbia…  has appeared in 23 career games with 12 starts.

2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)

Summer transfer from Syracuse… played in nine contests… credited with 10 tackles and four quarterback hurries… broke up one pass and forced a fumble… missed the first three games of the season due to a foot injury… had his best game as a Gamecock at Missouri, finishing with a season-high three tackles against the Tigers… recorded his first career forced fumble in the win over Jacksonville State… named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Redshirt Freshman)

Appeared in all 13 games with 12 starts at defensive end for Syracuse… finished the year with 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick… his 3.5 sacks ties for the fifth most by an Orange freshman in program history… his sack and TFL totals were fourth on the team and second among defensive linemen… finished the season with a tackle for loss in four-straight games…. made his first collegiate start against Louisville… recorded his first multi-tackle game with three against Purdue… logged four tackles, a pass deflection and a career-best three QB hurries against Virginia… also blocked a PAT against the Cavaliers… set a career high with five tackles and 1.5 sacks in the win over NC State… collected four tackles and a sack at Wake Forest.

2021 (Freshman)

Appeared in one game with one solo tackle against Albany in his collegiate debut… redshirted in his first season with the Orange.

HIGH SCHOOL

Graduated from Belton-Honea Path High School in South Carolina in 2021… was a two-time team captain… recorded 72 tackles including 10 sacks and 40 tackles for loss as a senior… helped the Bears to an 8-4 record and a South Carolina AAAA second-round playoff appearance as a junior.

PERSONAL

Jatius Tamija Geer was born June 19, 2003… is a services management major.

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