In-state 4-star WR Mazeo Bennett decommits from Tennessee
A priority recruiting target for Shane Beamer and his Gamecock football program, Mazeo Bennett, announced on Thursday night that he was decommitting from the Tennessee Volunteers and reopening his recruitment.
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“With the recent changes in the coaching staff, me and my family have decided to take a step back and re-evaluate Tennessee and others. Tennessee will still be one of my top schools,” Bennett said in a statement posted to his Twitter account.
Shane Beamer, along with wide receivers coach Justin Stepp, dropped by Greenville High School on Monday.
Bennett checks in as the nation’s number 199 prospect regardless of position, the number 20 athlete, and the third-best player in the state of South Carolina for the 2024 class according to the On3 Consensus. An equally-weighed industry standard, the On3 Consensus factors in recruiting rankings from all four major services.
He originally chose Tennessee over the Gamecocks back in October. A year earlier, he picked up his first Power 5 offer from the South Carolina staff.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder is an in-state prospect with another interesting tie to USC: his sister attends the school. He’s been a priority from day one for the South Carolina staff.
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“I feel it every time I call,” Bennett told GamecockCentral.com’s Wes Mitchell back in April. “Every time I call, every time I go down there, I always feel the love. It’s real. If they’ve got me at the top of their board for receivers for the class of 24, I could definitely feel it.”
Bennett also carries scholarship offers from North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and many others.
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South Carolina scored a huge victory inside Williams-Brice Stadium in November by taking down Tennessee, 63-38, a performance that was surely eye-opening for Bennett.
“There’s a lot of momentum there and every time you’re there, it’s smile everywhere,” Bennett told On3’s Jeremy Johnson of the atmosphere around South Carolina back in July. “Nobody is ever mad. The energy around the program is ecstatic.”
During his junior season, Bennett accounted for 1,701 all-purpose yards and 23 total touchdowns.
“I plan on really taking my time with my commitment because I will not be decommitting again,” Bennett told On3’s Chad Simmons on Thursday. “The next school I choose will be my home, so I’m doing my due diligence.”
