Irish Rugby Prospect Neff Giwa Commits to South Carolina

Neff Giwa, a 20-year-old rugby standout from Ireland with no prior experience in American football, committed Sunday to play offensive tackle for the University of South Carolina, selecting the Gamecocks over offers from several major programs including Miami, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

The 6-foot-7.5-inch, 295-pound prospect, whose full name is Oluwanifemi Giwa, drew national attention earlier this month after videos of him performing offensive line drills went viral on social media. The clips showcased his exceptional physical traits, including 37-inch arms, a 4.88-second 40-yard dash, and a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump. Giwa, raised in the small town of Cashel in County Tipperary, had competed for Cashel Rugby Club and Munster Rugby, earning a spot on Ireland's under-18 clubs and schools squad. He also played soccer and basketball as a youth but had only recently expressed interest in football, inspired by players like Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata, who transitioned from rugby.

Giwa's rapid rise began when he connected with Brandon Collier, founder of PPI Recruits, an organization that helps international athletes secure college football scholarships....