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South Carolina coach Sterling Lucas had himself a day on Tuesday. Not only did he find out that the Gamecocks added five-star prospect Dylan Stewart to his defensive line room, but he also awaited the birth of a child.
The assistant celebrated with a FaceTime call from the hospital after hearing the news.
South Carolina has been after the commitment of highly regarded 2024 player Dylan Stewart this offseason. The pass rusher from Washington DC is rated as the No. 10 player in his class, regardless of position, as well as being the second-best defensive end prospect in the nation.
The Gamecocks had good standing with the defender, but they had to fend off Ohio State, Miami, and Georgia to win his pledge. On Tuesday, he made the news official.
COMMITTED #ITSOVER @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/3adfDaWvKB
— Dylan Stewart (@Dylan1Stewart_) August 1, 2023
Dylan Stewart’s commitment was a huge boost to the Gamecocks’ recruiting class, which now ranks 17th in the country according to On3 Sports.
He becomes the first five-star recruit in the class, and the second elite prospect from the DMV area in as many years for the program as it sets up a pipeline between Columbia and the nation’s capital.
Last year the Gamecocks nabbed the “freakiest” recruit in the class with the commitment of 6-foot-5, 230-pound track star Nyckoles Harbor.
Excited about the most recent addition, head coach Shane Beamer couldn’t wait to get on the phone to inform his defensive line coach of Stewart’s pledge. He then took a screenshot of Lucas decked out in a hospital cap and “Girl Dad” t-shirt as he awaited the birth of his third child.
Current Mood @CoachSterlLuc 🤙🏻
Let’s Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/OC5Tw0JmYd
— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) August 1, 2023
South Carolina creative media director Justin King posted a hilarious reaction to the photo, saying, “Man is literally having a baby today, too.”
Man is literally having a baby today too lol https://t.co/CwlabcWOWw
— Justin King (@JustinKing) August 1, 2023
He then reposted with a caption that read, “This is my favorite tweet ever.”
Others around the program added onto the reaction.
Twins y’all, this man is currently having TWINS. #RecruitingNeverStops https://t.co/ehqxNYxQYF
— Jessica Jackson, MBA (@JessRecruitsSC) August 1, 2023
Heck of a day for Sterling Lucas https://t.co/6J1O6N79I8
— Chris Clark (@GCChrisClark) August 1, 2023
“Dylan couldn’t even wait for his current position coach to have his baby,” wrote one fan.
“That man is having quite the day! Something tells me the baby ranks a little above a big recruit though,” another said.
Sterling Lucas is entering his second year with the Gamecocks after moving over from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff. He’s also worked for the Ravens.
He and his wife, Brittany, have two children already, and they welcome a third this week.
Combine that with the addition of Dylan Stewart, and the Gamecock coach’s family is getting bigger in more ways than one. What a day!