When South Carolina football took a different direction with its coaching staff over the winter, veterans with a free year of eligibility available and senior students with the fascination of the transfer portal had a choice to make; stay or go.
For two South Carolina natives, the decision was easy. Defensive line Jabari Ellis and Zacch Pickens I didn’t have to think twice about wanting to stay home.
“I’m a South Carolina,” said Ellis. “I had the decision to leave or go somewhere else, but I wanted to stay home, fight and help to reverse this situation.”
At Vance, SC of Lake Marion High School, Ellis followed the JUCO route before joining the South Carolina football program in 2018. In his three years with the Gamecocks, Ellis played in 22 games with nine games, eight last year. .
“The energy is definitely different,” said Ellis. “All the things that contribute to putting the program in the right direction. It is not just about winning ball and football games. It’s about family and a lot of important things that trainer (Shane) Beamer instilled. We love it here. “
Pickens had a chance to play football anywhere in the country after high school. The product Anderson, SC and TL Hanna High School was the 8th overall prospect of the class of 2019 and the No. 1 in defensive tackle.
“We want to be here,” said Pickens. “Everything is positive here, without negative vibrations. We feel the energy and the fraternity and we are coming together as a family ”.
A defensive tackle of 6 to 3 and 305 pounds with his athletic build would have been highly coveted in the transfer market. Pickens said that this was never a thought for him in the transition from Will Muschamp for Beamer.
“I wasn’t thinking about going out or going anywhere else,” said Pickens. “My mom always says to finish what you started. I will finish here and do everything I can to get us to win. “
In two seasons in a Gamecocks uniform, Pickens played in all 22 games that South Carolina played.