Little did DT Kelby Collins and DE Drew Collins know that after they visited South Carolina again in 2023, they might finally find yourself collectively in Columbia taking part in for the Gamecocks, however that’s the case because the brothers from Gardendale, AL, put together to reach for the beginning of lessons this week. The pair, free brokers from Alabama and Arkansas State, respectively, agreed to offers with South Carolina on Sunday and can lastly be reunited on the soccer area for the primary time since they have been youngsters.
“It means the world,” youthful brother Drew Collins stated on Monday. “We haven’t gotten the possibility to play collectively on the sphere on the identical time with the identical staff since Little League. We performed collectively in highschool, however we actually didn’t get to play collectively; we have been simply on the identical staff. He was in entrance of me, and I used to be behind him in the identical place. I didn’t actually get that chance to showcase my abilities, which led me to switch to a different faculty after he graduated. As soon as we received the chance to play collectively, and really feel like we’re each equally wished simply as a lot, then it actually was a no brainer.”
The brothers visited USC final week, and the sensation they received from Shane Beamer and his workers was that they have been each wished for his or her particular person abilities, and each could have an opportunity to assist out the protection.
“It was an important atmosphere. Love South Carolina. Love town,” Collins stated. “However the coaches actually stood out to each of us. A variety of colleges reached, however it was form of biased on their choices and who they actually wished. A number of the colleges primarily wished me, however probably not need him as a lot. A number of the colleges primarily wished him, however probably not wished me. South Carolina confirmed curiosity in each of us with their teaching workers, and the way they confirmed like to each of us, and that basically did it.”
Kelby was a closely recruited prospect popping out of highschool. He finally signed with Florida and spent two seasons there earlier than transferring to Alabama. Throughout the recruiting course of, he made an official go to to USC, and he had his youthful brother in tow.
“He was form of already accustomed to the teaching workers, however they ended up switching a number of the guys,” Drew Collins stated. “My place coach, Coach Barnes, he’s recent. He simply received there from Penn State. And I imagine his D-line coach did as properly. The remainder of the workers, they form of already knew who we have been as a result of we got here in 2023.
“Their amenities have been unbelievable. From the power workers and the load room to the locker rooms, all the pieces was simply top-tier. The town actually did it for me. I’m a man that’s adventurous. I really like an enormous metropolis. I’m from an enormous metropolis. Once I was at Arkansas State, I wasn’t in a position to do this. If we wanted something, we’d should go to Memphis, which is about an hour away.”
The Gamecock defensive coaches have addressed a few of their wants up entrance by signing 4 gamers out of the Portal. Collins stated he and his brother shall be prepared to come back in and compete this spring for jobs.
“They anticipate excessive issues from each of us,” Collins stated. “The way in which that they laid all the pieces out, they anticipate me to come back in and be on the opposite facet of Dylan Stewart and present all of the potential that I’ve and put it on the market on the sphere. They wanted someone who can are available in and put stress on the quarterback and make these performs. I really feel like I’ll be that man. And so far as him, they want someone the run, and want someone who can do issues each in and out.”
This previous season, Kelby Collins performed in 14 video games and had 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Drew redshirted his first season at Arkansas State in 2024, then performed in 12 video games this season and had six tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
