South Carolina football recruiting profiles: Damarcus Leach
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his coaching staff have less than three weeks before National Signing Day. (Remember when recruits signed in February?) The Early Signing Period begins Wednesday, December 4th, and the majority of teams’ high school recruiting classes will be completed by the time the Early Signing Period ends on Friday, December 6th. In the weeks leading up to NSD, GamecockCentral will profile each player in the 2025 recruiting class. Today, we will look at defensive back Damarcus Leach.
Damarcus Leach (3-star, Safety, 6’3″, 185 pounds)
What the rankings say: 3-star in On3 industry rankings, No. 670 nationally, No. 15 in South Carolina, No. 59 among all safeties; Damarcus Leach is a consensus 3-star prospect
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Damarcus Leach was one of the first commitments in the Gamecocks’ 2025 class, and he has all the making of an evaluation win for the South Carolina football staff. He’s big (listed at 6’3″ and 185 pounds but probably heavier than that now). He’s a fluid athlete who excels in three sports (basketball and track being the others). And he’s tough and physical (loves to tackle and plays hard).
Leach hails from powerhouse small school Abbeville High, a program that has won more titles than all but two teams in South Carolina High School League history, mostly at the AA level. Even with all of the Panthers’ success, he is one of the best to come through Abbeville.
Leach has played over-the-top safety, corner, and in-box linebacker in high school. His future is probably at safety, but depending on how the Gamecocks plan to utilize the position, he could play nickel for South Carolina.
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In coverage, the big defensive back has solid instincts when the ball is in the air. Leach has a knack for jumping routes from his deep zone assignment and also has some experience playing man. In run support, he’s a ferocious player. Every time he makes a tackle, it seems painful for his opponents as he plays with tons of physicality.
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Like several other current and former South Carolina defensive backs, Damarcus Leach also played some high school quarterback. The skillsets don’t overlap much, but a quarterback’s understanding of the game, coverages, and receiver route trees can only help a secondary player.
Leach likely could use some time to develop a bit before he’s called upon to make a big impact. However, he has a physical profile that would fit well on special teams.
Leach is one of eleven in-state South Carolina commitments in the 2025 cycle. He is one of three true defensive back pledges, as well, joining Chris Hatfield and Kendall Daniels.
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You can watch some of Leach’s film below.
