Coaches thank fans for Williams-Brice atmosphere. Gamecock recruiting targets noticed
When Shane Beamer picked up his cell phone after South Carolina’s 40-17 win over Florida, the Gamecocks’ first-year football coach was bombarded with a slew of text messages from recruits.
South Carolina hosted a number of prospects on Saturday night — a home SEC game can attract dozens of recruits for future classes. Beamer said the recruits who didn’t make it down for the Gamecocks’ onslaught against the Gators told him they wish they could’ve been in Williams-Brice Stadium.
Saturday night, South Carolina’s fanbase created the atmosphere Beamer had been calling for since last month — but he’s still hoping for more.
“Wow, what a great night to be a Gamecock,” Beamer said to open his press conference after Florida. “Want to thank our fans for the atmosphere and the environment in there. I appreciate the ones that were in there. For those of you that didn’t come and missed it, you missed one hell of a game.”
South Carolina is already offering a $20 discount for seats in Section 304 at Williams-Brice Stadium for the Gamecocks’ next home game against Auburn on Nov. 20, their last SEC matchup of 2021. The school produced a video with yet another Beamer call-out in its promotion for the $50 ticket offer on Sunday.
“Gamecock Nation, thank you for the amazing environment out there in Williams-Brice Stadium tonight against the Florida Gators,” Beamer said in the video. “We need you when the Auburn Tigers come to town in two weeks. That atmosphere out there was awesome and was a true advantage for us. We need it even more in two weeks for our final SEC home game of the year.”
The commits and prospects who did witness South Carolina piece together its statement win over Florida in person provided rave reviews of the Williams-Brice atmosphere.
Among those who made social media posts from the game were safety commitment Emory Floyd (2022), long snapper Nate Merchant (2022), running back Vaughn Blue (2023), running back/defensive back Kyron Jones (2023), wide receiver Tray Tolliver (2023), defensive lineman Hevin Brown-Shuler (2024) and quarterback Kamari McClellan (2024).
“Don’t get no Better Than This With the Best Defensive Coaches in College Football and Loved meeting head coach,” Floyd tweeted with photos from the sideline Saturday night.
“Willy B was rocking tonight!” Tolliver tweeted with a photo of himself on the sidelines.
“Good to be home Columbia if only for a few hrs. Gamecock Nation - Dope. Special rec to (Gamecock recruiting and player personnel employee Dru Lindler) made sure my fam was good the entire day,” Brown-Shuler tweeted with a photo of himself and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey.
“Great atmosphere here @GamecockFB love it here,” McClellan tweeted with the fire emoji and a photo of himself beside stadium seats.
“Had a great visit @GamecockFB! Enjoyed talking with (defensive backs coach Torrian Gray), meeting (Shane Beamer) and watching that great WIN against Florida. Go Cocks,” Jones tweeted with a photo of himself with Gray and another photo beside the Gamecocks’ logo.
Since South Carolina’s game against Troy on Oct. 5, Beamer has been consistently delivering pointed messages to the Gamecocks’ fanbase before and after home football games. South Carolina announced a season-low 60,686 attendance number for the Troy game, filling 78.2% of Williams-Brice Stadium’s 77,559 capacity.
“If you’re a season ticket holder or you’re somebody that has tickets to a game and you’re not going to come, please get those tickets to somebody else,” Beamer said after Troy. “There’s a bunch of great Gamecocks out there that would love to be in this stadium.”
Beamer repeated that message before the Gamecocks hosted their next home matchup with Vanderbilt, the homecoming game which coincided with the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 16.
“After everything that we went through this past last year 2020 and not being in full stadiums, to not take full advantage of a packed Williams Brice stadium Saturday afternoon in Columbia, fair or no fair going on, would be a real shame,” Beamer said. “Hope our fanbase will appreciate our players and the effort they’re playing with and won’t take for granted what it means to come together as Gamecock nation on Saturdays in Columbia, South Carolina.”
South Carolina brought in more recruits and 64,695 fans (83.4% capacity) for the Vanderbilt game, but Beamer continued his plea before Florida.
“We know what a great fanbase we have here,” Beamer said ahead of the Florida game. “We’ve got three out of our last four games at home, two SEC games and our in-state rival. Saturday night, primetime television. If you can’t get excited for that, I can’t help you guys.”
Williams-Brice Stadium welcomed 70,131 fans Saturday night, 90.4% of its capacity and the best number since South Carolina announced 100% attendance for the Gamecocks’ loss to Kentucky on Sept. 25.
“Our fans were amazing last night! Williams Brice was (three fire emojis). It made a difference to our team and impressed some really important visitors! You guys matter and we are grateful!! #ForeverToThee,” tight ends coach Erik Kimrey tweeted after the game.
South Carolina’s win over Florida captured the attention of at least five other prospects who tweeted, including four-star wide receiver Devin Hyatt (2023) and four-star quarterback commit Braden Davis (2022).
“Really appreciate the fans that were there,” Beamer said after the Florida game. “You created a great environment. Unbelievable group of recruits that were here. ... So excited about the future of Carolina football.”
