Marcellas Dial is ready to be South Carolina’s top option at cornerback
On Nov. 26, 2022, Marcellas Dial was playing the game of his life. And there wasn’t a better situation for him to have such an impactful performance.
Heading into that game, South Carolina had lost its previous seven matchups against in-state rival Clemson. The Gamecocks faced long odds to snap that streak against a top-five Tiger team on the road in Memorial Stadium.
Dial’s defense played an important role in what would be a memorable 31-30 victory for South Carolina. During that game, he was targeted 11 times and only allowed one catch for just 11 yards. He tied a career-high in pass deflections (3), made two tackles and picked off the Clemson quarterback in the fourth quarter.
A native of Woodruff, a small city in the Upstate, Dial said having such a great a game against Clemson held great significance to him.
“It meant the world. I was amazed at myself after that game. After that night, I couldn’t even sleep for like two days – it was crazy,” Dial said. “But going to Clemson in Death Valley and beating them, that was definitely one of the best moments I’ve had – other than the Tennessee game – in college football, ever.”
Dial was later named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Tigers. For him, it was the culmination of years of hard work, and he was glad to be recognized for it.
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“Everybody’s seeing it work, and whenever all that stuff pays off, it feels very good,” Dial said. “Like you get to breathe for a second like, ‘Yes, I’m not doing all this for no reason.”
Dial hopes that work continues to pay off this fall, as he figures to make important contributions to the Gamecock secondary following the departures of Cam Smith and Darius Rush last season.
Smith and Rush are the two latest South Carolina defensive backs to reach the NFL. Dial said having his name mentioned alongside theirs was a great honor.
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“It’s a privilege because South Carolina, they’re known for having DBs that go out first round, second round, high in the draft,” Dial said. “So it’s definitely a privilege to be in the same category as some of those guys.”
As far as this season goes, Dial said continuing to do the same things he has always done will be pivotal to achieving more success on the gridiron.
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“Just stay the course, just stay consistent, and just do what I know I can do. Believe in myself, keep my confidence high, and just staying the course,” Dial said. “Don’t do anything different, just keep being me and being the person I am.”
This year will be Dial’s senior season, which means his collegiate career could come to a close once the campaign is over. Like Smith and Rush, he could even see himself donning an NFL uniform this time next year.
But for now, Dial will use this season as an opportunity to take everything in before continuing along his football journey.
“I’m going to take full advantage of it. I’m going to enjoy every moment, and I’m ready to get it going. I’ve been working hard building up for this moment,” Dial said.
“I’m CB1. I’m ready for it.”
