In a surprising turn of events, the South Carolina Gamecocks football team announced on Wednesday that freshman defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod is no longer with the program. The departure of McLeod marks another setback for the team from the 2023 recruiting class, following the dismissals of defensive end Monteque Rhames and defensive back Cameron Upshaw earlier this year.

McLeod, who hails from Camden High School in South Carolina, had shown promise during his time with the Gamecocks. Despite being a freshman, he had already made appearances in four games this season, showcasing his skills against Furman, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. However, he did not travel with the team for their recent game against Missouri.

The young defensive lineman had an impressive high school career, earning recognition as the state's Mr. Football in his senior season. Playing along the defensive line, McLeod contributed significantly to his team's success, recording 51 tackles with 17 tackles for loss in 2021, 45 tackles with 12 tackles for loss in 2020, and 20 stops with 5 tackles for loss in 2019. His exceptional performance earned him a 3A all-state selection by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association and invitations to prestigious games such as the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the Under Armour All-America game.

In terms of national rankings, McLeod was regarded as the third-best player in South Carolina, the 19th-best defensive lineman in the country, and the 176th overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. On the On3 Composite rankings, he was considered the third-best prospect in South Carolina, the 23rd-best defensive lineman in the country, and the 193rd overall prospect. ESPN also included McLeod on their prestigious ESPN300 list, ranking him second in South Carolina, 10th among defensive tackles, and 133rd overall.

The exact reason for McLeod's departure from the South Carolina Gamecocks football team has not been disclosed. However, his absence will undoubtedly be felt, leaving the team with yet another void to fill in their defensive line. The Gamecocks will now have to rely on other players from the 2023 recruiting class to step up and contribute as the season progresses.