The state’s leading receiver broke a Deebo Samuel record. Now he’s on Gamecocks’ radar
Antonio Williams of Dutch Fork and Adam Randall of Myrtle Beach are widely regarded as the state of South Carolina’s two top wide receivers for the 2022 class. But the state’s leading receiver, according to stats compiled by The High School Sports Report, is DJ Black of Chapman.
Black (6-2, 185) has 72 catches for 1,358 yards and 17 touchdowns. That’s 24 more receptions than Williams, the state’s second leading receiver.
Despite the gaudy numbers, Black does not have gaudy offers. Army, Navy and Howard are his only three offers at this point. He’s hoping that will soon change, especially with USC showing legitimate interest.
Black visited USC as a fan for the Kentucky game. Then receivers coach Justin Stepp invited him to come in as a recruit for the Vanderbilt game.
“It was amazing,” Black said. “(Stepp) told me he’s been watching for a while and he’s going to come to my next home game this Friday. I didn’t get to talk to him much because he talked to me before the game, but he said that I was good enough to play there and he will come watch me.”
So on Friday, Black not only will be trying to make plays to help his Panthers, but he’ll be also trying to make plays to help himself with the Gamecocks.
“I feel like I will get an offer from there,” Black said. “It would mean everything to me because I grew up watching Carolina.”
Black does not have any other visits planned at this point but would return to USC if Stepp invites him to another game.
The last two great players to come out of Chapman, Toby Cates and Deebo Samuel, both went on to star as receivers at USC. Black, who was selected for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives North-South Game, would love to have the chance to follow their lead, though he said he wouldn’t necessarily commit on the spot with an offer.
Black broke Samuel’s single-game receiving record at Chapman with 12 catches, 270 yards and 6 touchdowns in an Oct. 1 win over Woodruff. Samuel, now in the NFL, visited the school during the San Francisco 49ers’ open week and presented Black with one of his jerseys.
Black could follow in Samuel’s recruiting footsteps in being a late riser who lands a scholarship offer from the Gamecocks. South Carolina offered Samuel in late November of his senior season — he committed about two weeks later. He went on to star at USC before the 49ers selected him 36th overall in the 2019 draft.
Big Shout Out to @19problemz for stopping by and recognizing @2djblack for breaking his single game receiving record!!! pic.twitter.com/RHU5IvdpN0
— Harry Cabaniss (@CoachCab17) October 13, 2021
Thank you for the invite! @CoachSBeamer @coachjstepp @CoachCab17 pic.twitter.com/vH7zHSXZsL
— Dante “Dj” Black (@2djblack) October 14, 2021
Had a blast today in Columbia!!! Thank you @coachjstepp for setting up the visit!!! pic.twitter.com/6BtYlwMzhC
— Harry Cabaniss (@CoachCab17) October 16, 2021
DJ Black with a heckuva snag and broke the tackle on 4th and 15 from the Woodruff 28 to go for a TD! #highlight #sctop10 @CHSPanthersFB pic.twitter.com/bMpmxedZBs
— Jordan Ferrell (@FerrellonFM983) October 2, 2021