January 21, 2011
Royster picks So. Carolina
St. Peter's Prep safety Sheldon Royster announced he will go to South Carolina.
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By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
WOODBRIDGE – For Sheldon Royster, his decision to attend the University of South Carolina represents a new start.
The standout St. Peter’s Prep safety could have stayed close to home and potentially play with at least one of his Marauder teammates. Instead Royster picked the Gamecocks instead of in-state Rutgers in an announcement in front of family at his home last night.
“I was torn between both schools,” Royster said. “Both schools are great schools, but it was a matter of how I felt. Everybody has their own opinion, but I felt that I wanted to get out Jersey, get away and start something new.
“It’s a great relief and I feel good about the decision.”
Royster, is the second of three high-profile senior prospects on St. Peter’s Prep to make his college decision. Offensive tackle Keith Lumpkin committed to Rutgers back in September and RB Savon Huggins remains undecided on his choice of school.
These Marauders will not join forces at the next level, but it was an idea that was one they strongly considered.
“I talked to (Keith) and Savon about maybe all three of us going to Rutgers,” Royster said. “We all said that would have been a great thing, but they were comfortable with their decisions. We knew Keith made his decision. I’m happy for him, he’s happy for me. We’re just going to finish out the school year with a great couple of people that I know.”
While Royster will not be joining Lumpkin and possibly Huggins at Rutgers, there will be a New Jersey connection for him at South Carolina. Royster is the third prospect from the Garden State to commit to the Gamecocks, joining Bergen Catholic QB Tanner McEvoy and Timber Creek WR Damiere Byrd.
Royster, a two-time HCV All-County Team selection, saw time at running back, receiver, safety and kick returner during his stellar career at Prep. At South Carolina, he is expected to see time at cornerback and safety. Some schools were interested in Royster on offense, but he preferred playing defense on the next level.
“I’m not really a fan of being a running back in college,” he said. “They take too much punishment. I’m going to be playing DB in college so I’m going to get to deliver the punishment.”
Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins and the late Sean Taylor are among the safeties Royster cited as safeties he tries to model his game after.
Royster was ranked the No. 12 safety prospect in the country by rivals.com. He was ranked the fourth-best prospect in the state of New Jersey and the No. 189 prospect overall.
More than 10 schools made scholarship offers to Royster, including Miami, Michigan, North Carolina and West Virginia. South Carolina and Rutgers were the two schools Royster made an official visit to. He said he and his family reached a final decision on which school to attend this past weekend.
With his college choice out of the way, Royster is now ready to focus on football and making an impact in the SEC.
“After making this decision, I plan to do what I do best and play football,” he said. “Stay focused on what I want to accomplish in life and just keep God first and everything else will fall into place.”
Sheldon Royster runs for a 68-yard touchdown vs Friendship Collegiate Academy.