South Carolina Secures Commitment from JUCO Power Hitter: Here’s When He’ll Join the Team

South Carolina Lands JUCO Commit Dawson Harman Just Before Opening Day

Hours before South Carolina’s highly anticipated Opening Day, the Gamecocks received some exciting news with a commitment from JUCO third baseman Dawson Harman. And the energy around the announcement was electric, especially for Gamecock slugger Ethan Petry.

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

Harman, who spent 2024 at High Point before transferring to the College of Central Florida for the 2025 season, has a strong bond with Petry. Both hail from Florida, with Harman from Tampa and Petry from Land O’ Lakes. When Harman received his offer from South Carolina, he didn’t waste time reaching out to his good 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 explained to 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.’”

The timing of Harman’s commitment is intriguing. He began his JUCO season on January 26, committing just as South Carolina kicked off its 2025 season. So, the question arises—will Harman suit up for the Gamecocks this season? The answer, unfortunately, 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 go from there with being a Gamecock,” Harman confirmed.

For the remainder of the 2025 season, Harman will stay focused on playing for College of Central Florida, where he’s off to an impressive start with a .391 batting average, seven home runs, and 18 RBIs in just 12 games.

South Carolina has had its eye on Harman since the fall, when Monte Lee attended one of his games. Harman recently had a call with Lee and Coach Terry Rooney, which confirmed the Gamecocks’ interest. Then, after a standout performance on Thursday—where Harman went 3-for-5 with a home run and two doubles—the offer came through.

“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.”

Harman has been playing third base since his sophomore year of high school, but he’s also seen time 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 shared. “… 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 enters a new era under Mainieri, Harman said he wishes he could join Petry and the rest of the team this season. But he’s determined to finish strong with his current team before heading to Columbia in the 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 on Dawson Harman’s journey to South Carolina and the rest of the Gamecocks’ season!