Former SC Mr. Football Xzavier McLeod is no longer associated with the Gamecocks program.
A USC spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that freshman defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod has left the South Carolina football program. It was not immediately apparent why McLeod left. The news was first reported by TheBigSpur.
Having played in four of the Gamecocks’ opening six games, McLeod did not travel to the Missouri game. Head coach Shane Beamer explained that it was a coach’s choice when questioned why. In January, McLeod enrolled at USC. This season, he had one tackle and one interception.
The Gamecocks’ 2023 signing class featured a four-star prospect from nearby Camden High School, who was ranked as the fourth-highest recruit. With 54.5 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback pressures, and 6.5 sacks as a senior, the Class 3A Lower State Lineman of the Year was achieved. Since the 2023 season started, McLeod is the first Gamecock to depart from the team.
Beamer clarifies the Gamecocks’ decision to fire Mr. Football winner.
The removal of former South Carolina “Mr. Football” winner Xzavier McLeod from the football team was explained by Shane Beamer on Thursday.
“On Wednesday, I visited with Xzavier and decided to fire him from the football team because it was best for our program,” the statement reads. Hate it for him, but on his call-in show, Beamer said, “He’s a good young man from a good family.” “As I mentioned before, I have a responsibility to 118 other football players on the team, coaches, and staff, and I always have to do what’s best for our program, and that was kind of what this situation was. It’s not fun to call someone’s parents and have to tell them that, like I did yesterday.
And I want to support him because he’s a really good player. I wish him well.
McLeod did not make the trip to last week’s team loss at Missouri. Beamer said the decision was made by the coach. According to people with knowledge of the matter, McLeod made the decision not to go, even though he would have been on the two-deep depth chart and probably would have played.
In a social media thread, McLeod’s father, Herman, responded, saying that his son didn’t want to go to Missouri because he would ruin his redshirt season if he went and played. The NCAA cap on redshirt seasons has already been reached by McLeod, who has participated in four games thus far.
Herman McLeod added that although Xzavier was satisfied with the choice and wished USC the best while he would, his son wasn’t pleased with the Gamecocks’ 2-5 record.
On Wednesday, McLeod’s mother, Lamica McLeod, shared on social media that her son had been fired from the team and that she had spoken with Beamer about it. She added that she hoped for nothing but the best for USC.
“I think there’s a certain standard for what it means to play football at the University of South Carolina. And I care deeply about each and every one of the young men in our program, as well as these young men. Beamer stated, “And I want to work with all of our guys to try and help them through any situation they’re in. I don’t take the responsibility that their families have placed on me lightly.” However, in the end, I’m always accountable for doing
In four games, McLeod registered one tackle and one interception against Furman. McLeod was regarded as a huge acquisition for Beamer; he was a Shrine Bowl selection, an Under Armour All-American, and as high as the No. 2 player in South Carolina the previous season.
He was ranked as the nation’s No. 19 defensive lineman recruit out of Camden High.
