South Carolina secures commitment from JUCO power hitter. Here’s when he’ll be eligible to play.

Live from South Carolina: Exciting News for the Gamecocks as JUCO Transfer Dawson Harman Commits

Just hours before the highly anticipated Opening Day, South Carolina received a major boost with the commitment of JUCO third baseman Dawson Harman. And no one seemed more thrilled about the news than Gamecock slugger Ethan Petry.

“When I didn’t think opening day could get any better! Welcome home, brother,” Petry shared on his Instagram story, expressing his excitement.

Harman, who spent 2024 at High Point before transferring to the College of Central Florida for this season, shares a close bond with Petry. Both hailing from Florida—Harman from Tampa and Petry from Land O’ Lakes—the two have been friends for years. Upon receiving the offer from South Carolina, Harman immediately reached out to his friend.

“I told him, I was like, ‘Hey, (Paul) Mainieri’s about to call me. Monte (Lee) and Coach (Terry) Rooney said they’re getting an offer ready or whatever,'” Harman told GamecockCentral. “I don’t know for sure, I think he jumped out of bed and was just super excited for me. He was like, ‘Dude, this is what we wanted. Like, this is what you told me was going to happen, and this is exactly what I wanted with you.'”

Harman’s commitment comes at an interesting time—just after he began his JUCO season on January 26, and on the very day South Carolina’s 2025 season kicked off. But could Harman potentially play for the Gamecocks this season? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

“I’ll finish the year here with JUCO ball down here, and then I’ll be able to get on campus in the fall, and then I’ll go from there with being a Gamecock,” Harman said.

For now, Harman will continue his strong performance with the College of Central Florida, where he’s been on fire to start the season, boasting a .391 average, seven home runs, and 18 RBIs in just 12 games.

South Carolina has been watching Harman closely since the fall, when Monte Lee attended one of his games. A few weeks ago, Harman connected with Lee and Terry Rooney over the phone, and after his strong performance on Thursday—where he went 3-for-5 with a home run and two doubles—they extended him an offer.

“They were like, ‘Yeah, we’re getting (Paul) Mainieri on the phone with you,’” Harman recalled. “It was just like, wow. I’m talking to a college coach who’s been around college baseball for a while with LSU and all that. It was honestly eye-opening for me. It was like, wow. This is insane.”

Currently playing third base for College of Central Florida, Harman has been stationed at the position since his sophomore year of high school. However, he’s also gained experience in the outfield during his college career.

“Last year we had a sixth-year at third base, so the only opportunity for me was to move over to the other hot corner, first base, or play the outfield, which I was totally fine playing,” Harman explained. “So here it’s playing third, and then if they needed me to go somewhere else, I’m more than capable of doing so.”

As South Carolina embarks on a new era under Mainieri, Harman admits it’s tough to not be suiting up with Petry and the rest of the team this season. However, he’s excited to finish his JUCO season strong before heading to Columbia this fall.

“If I could step on campus now and be a part of that team, that’d be the dream,” Harman said. “But to have the ability of finishing my JUCO season out with a great team we have down here, College of Central Florida, is going to be awesome, as well.”

Stay tuned for more updates as the Gamecocks‘ season progresses!