CLARKSVILLE, TN – Kirkwood High School football offensive tackle Kamari Blair has committed to continue his football career at the University of South Carolina under head coach Shane Beamer.

The 6-foot-6 prospect had transferred to Kirkwood to play for head coach Chad Watson, and throughout the last year, Blair has been seen by nearly every Power 4 coach in the nation. After several official visits, the top choices came down to three SEC schools: Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Blair’s decision to pick the Gamecocks over the in-state Volunteers came as a surprise to some, but South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer got in earlier and formed a connection Blair cites as pivotal to his decision. “Coach Beamer is very down to earth. He didn’t want to talk to me about recruiting, he cared about how I was doing. I know he genuinely cares about me; he’s very honest and sincere,” Blair said.

Blair was ranked in ESPN’s Top 300 for the class of 2026.

“Kamari is a first class young man who works extremely hard,” Coach Watson said. “He has a great personality and is kind to everyone he comes into contact with but is a super competitor on the field.”

When Blair came to Kirkwood after playing his freshman year at Northeast, he was primarily viewed as a physical tight end. That all changed in Kirkwood’s inaugural season as a lack of offensive line depth forced Watson to move Blair to offensive tackle. With the help of his mom and the Kirkwood staff, Blair was able to gain 70 pounds in just two years because of an intense workout and dietary plan.

“Kirkwood means the world to me, the amount of care Coach Watson puts into me means the world,” Blair said.

Watson has obviously had an effect on who Blair is as a person and football player, but he also credits his mom for where he is, especially as he notes when he felt too highly of himself.

“If it wasn’t for my mom I wouldn’t be where I am, she would tell me I’m not that good yet, and to keep my head down,” Blair said. “She really keeps me humble.”

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