Newton running backs seems to have a connection with Southern California as of late.
Just a week after Darwin Barlow transferred from Texas Christian to USC, another Newton native has announced his intentions to join the Trojans.
De’Anthony Gatson, who accounted for more than 2,500 total yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior for the Eagles last season, verbally committed to USC on Tuesday in a social media post.
Gatson’s decision comes after taking three official visits this month. He toured Texas on June 4, USC on June 11 and Colorado on June 18, but decided the Trojans would be the best fit.
In his announcement, Gatson thanked all the college coaches who recruited him, as well as his current and future teammates.
“I want to give a special thanks to all my o-lineman and all the hard work y’all put in day and night,” he wrote. “I want to thank the USC coaches and players for showing me love the entire process.”
While Barlow has already enrolled at USC and will play there this fall, Gatson still has another year to finish out at Newton.
The two were teammates in 2018 when the Eagles won the second of their two straight state championships. Barlow was the star of the show as a senior. Gatson was just a freshman trying to establish himself.
In the years since, Gatson has done exactly that, proving himself to be one of the best running back prospects in Texas. He had a long list of offers that included schools from the Pac-12, SEC, Big-12 and Big-10.
Barlow and Texas transfer Keaontay Ingram, a Carthage graduate, will make a formidable running back duo this coming season for USC. Barlow will be a redshirt sophomore, while Ingram will be a senior.
That means by the time Gatson arrives in Los Angeles, he should have every opportunity to compete for playing time and form another strong backfield combination with his former Newton teammate.
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