Palmetto State native pass-rusher Jatius Geer transferring to South Carolina

South Carolina native Jatius Geer is trading in the Orange for the Garnet and Black.

The transfer portal EDGE prospect, who spent the last two seasons at Syracuse, announced a commitment to the Gamecocks today.

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The 6-foot-6, 233-pounder helps fill a major need for South Carolina as the Gamecocks have been active in the portal at his position after losing Jordan Burch and Gilber Edmond from last year’s squad.

Geer emerged as a big-time pass-rusher for Syracuse as a redshirt freshman this past season, playing in all 13 games with 12 starts.

Geer finished the year with 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

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An under-recruited prospect out of Belton-Honea Path, the Anderson, S.C. native signed with the Orange as a three-star prospect in the 2021 class.

Geer was considered the No. 1044 overall prospect, No. 83 defensive lineman, and No. 13 Palmetto State prospect in his class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which averages the rankings from the major recruiting services.

Geer entered the transfer portal on April 26 with South Carolina quickly moving in to make him a priority.

Jatius Geer Bio

Career Overview: Emerged as a starting defensive end in his second season with the Orange … Enters the 2023 season having appeared in 14 games with 12 starts in his collegiate career … Has 34 career tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a PAT block in his career.

Redshirt Freshman Year (2022): Appeared in all 13 games with 12 starts at defensive end … 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 in 2022 and second among defensive linemen … Finished the season with a tackle for loss in four-straight games … Key piece of a defensive unit that finished in the season 14th nationally in passing defense (184.8) and 21st in total defense (328.6) … Made his first collegiate start against Louisville (9/3) … Had his first multi-tackle game with three against Purdue (9/17) … Had four tackles, a pass deflection and a career-best three QB hurries against Virginia (9/23). He also blocked a PAT in the third quarter against the Cavaliers, something that would loom large in a two-point victory for the Orange …  Made three tackles against Wagner (10/1) … Set new career highs with five tackles and 1.5 sacks in the win over NC State (10/15) … Made two tackles at Clemson (10/22) … Had three tackles and a tackle for loss vs. Notre Dame (10/22) … Finished with two tackles and a tackle for loss against Florida State (11/12) … Made four tackles and a sack at Wake Forest (11/19) … Notched three tackles and a tackle for loss at Boston College (11/26) … Finished with a pair of tackles and a TFL in the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Minnesota (12/29).

Redshirt Year (2021): Appeared in one game with one solo tackle against UAlbany in his collegiate debut (9/18). 

High School: Rated three stars by 247 Sports.com … Recorded 10 sacks, 40 TFL and 72 tackles as a senior … Two-time team captain at Belton-Honea Path … Helped Belton-Honea Path to an 8-4 record and a South Carolina AAAA second-round playoff appearance as a junior.

Personal: Jatius Tamija Geer … Born June 19, 2003 in Anderson, South Carolina … Son of Taqwelia Heard … Two brothers and one sister … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

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