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A high school football coach from the state of South Carolina is furious with an instate program for dropping the commitment of one of his players. The timing of the news was most frustrating as it reportedly came less than 24 hours before the player intended to sign.
Corey Helms is the head coach at Cardinal Newman High School in Columbia, SC. A former South Carolina Gamecock offensive lineman, he’s continued his football career in the city’s capital.
Moving to the sidelines, Helms led his team to the state playoffs where they won a quarterfinals matchup against Augusta Christian. Though they fell to Hammond in the semis, it was a successful season on the field.
That success helped land some college interest for a number of players.
One was wide receiver Darius Bailem, who’d picked up an offer from South Carolina State. The pass catcher committed to the Bulldogs and anticipated signing in the early signing period.
Unfortunately, those plans changed unexpectedly.
South Carolina State is in the midst of a coaching change, hiring Chennis Berry to replace longtime head coach Buddy Pough. Berry was introduced in mid-December.
As is the case with many staff changes, new coaches look to bring in prospects that fit their schemes, often resulting in attrition of both the roster and recruiting classes.
Bailem became part of that attrition this week, but he didn’t find out until very late in his recruiting process. Corey Helms blasted South Carolina State for dropping the high school football player’s commitment just hours before signing day.
I get new staffs re evaluating their commits and all.. but to move on from a kid that’s been committed for 6 months 12 HOURS before they were supposed to sign is BS.. just saying. Be up front atleast
— Cory Helms (@CoryHelms7251) December 19, 2023
If true, 12 hours before signing day is bruuutal, especially given the week and a half the staff has had to relay that information. Bailem will likely have to wait until the second signing period to ink an NLI with another program.
He posted about an offer from Limestone University on Thursday but remains uncommitted.