USC signees include fishing fanatic, competitive swimmer, plenty of football potential
For the first time in months, Shane Beamer can take a deep breath.
The early signing period opened Wednesday. South Carolina capped it with a largely drama-free day, signing 20 of the 22 players who’d committed to the Gamecocks in recent months.
“From a signing day standpoint, it’s been a fantastic day,” Beamer said. “Really just want to thank everyone in our program for all their hard work.”
South Carolina made national headway in recent days. Signing a player like Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler and Sooners running mate Austin Stogner will do that.
But Wednesday was about the high school prospects.
As of Thursday morning, South Carolina’s recruiting class ranked No. 23 nationally and No. 11 in the Southeastern Conference, per 247Sports. That’s a seven-spot drop from where it started the day Wednesday — though that’s as much about the moves other teams made compared to the ones South Carolina did or didn’t make. Losing four-star linebacker Jaishawn Barham in a signing day flip to Maryland also hurt the class ranking.
USC finished the day heavy on defense. Thirteen of the Gamecocks’ 20 signees came on that side of the ball. Secondary weighed heavy, as six prospects profile as defensive backs at the next level.
That’s by design. Beamer noted South Carolina is far from making any kinds of decisions on whether guys will stick at safety, corner, nickel or elsewhere. But there’s a flexibility with players like three-star Texas native Peyton Williams, three-star defensive back Emory Floyd or three-star Irmo standout Nick Emmanwori.
“I think the thing with these guys is, they’re all flexible,” Beamer said, “and they (are in a) position to do some multiple things in the secondary.”
Wednesday, too, was a chance for Beamer to finally speak publicly about the players he and his staff have spent months pining after and building relationships with.
There’s North Charleston defensive lineman Demetrius Watson, who’s a fishing expert in his own right beyond his football ability.
Three-star offensive lineman Ryan Brubaker, too, falls in the intriguing category. The son of a Penn State football player, Brubaker first got spotted by the South Carolina staff through film of one of his swim meets, Beamer revealed. Yes, USC signed a 6-foot-6, 270 pound offensive lineman who swam competitively.
And of course, there was discussion on Rattler and Stogner. The Oklahoma pair put South Carolina in the center of the college football world with their commitments late Monday night. Rattler gives USC a generational quarterback, while Stogner could be the missing piece to an offense that needs as much help as it can get.
“I had to step outside and scream so I didn’t scare anyone in my own house,” Beamer joked of when Stogner and Rattler informed him they were heading to South Carolina.
So what’s next for the Gamecocks after Wednesday? That’s a bit of a moving target.
Spring Valley athlete DQ Smith committed to South Carolina this week, but he’s expected to sign in February or later in order to count toward USC’s 2023 scholarship allotment.
The Gamecocks should also have somewhere around seven spots for transfers over the coming months. Granted, the nature of the transfer portal assures there are likely players that aren’t even in the portal yet that could end up playing in Columbia next fall.
“As far as spots remaining, I feel like it changes every day. Get back to me on that one,” Beamer joked. “That’s constantly in flux, and I don’t mean to be sarcastic. It is.”
South Carolina play-by-play man Todd Ellis gibed Beamer on Wednesday night during his final radio show of the season that the first-year head coach is on the tail end of a 15-day recruiting bender.
Having pulled together a class that spans eight states and seven positions, Beamer and his staff has earned a chance to take a momentary pause from the rigors of recruiting.
Then again, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl is only two weeks away. Game planning awaits.
South Carolina signing class, by position
OFFENSE (8)
- Quarterback (2): Braden Davis, Tanner Bailey
- Wide Receiver (2): Kylic Horton, Landon Samson
- Athlete (1): Zavier Short
- Offensive Line (3): Ryan Brubaker, Cason Henry, Grayson Mains
DEFENSE (13)
- Defensive Line (4): Felix Hixon, D’Andre Martin, Demetrius Watson, Jamaal Whyce
- Edge (2): Bryan Thomas Jr., Donovan Westmoreland
- Linebacker (1): Stone Blanton
- Athlete (1): Nick Emmanwori
- Defensive Back (5): Emory Floyd Jr., Keenan Nelson Jr., Kajuan Banks, Anthony Rose, Peyton Williams
South Carolina recruiting class, by state
- Georgia (5): Emory Floyd Jr., Cason Henry, Felix Hixon, Grayson Mains, Donovan Westmoreland
- Florida (4): Kajuan Banks, Anthony Rose, Bryan Thomas Jr., Jamaal Whyce
- South Carolina (4): Nick Emmanwori, Kylic Horton, Zavier Short, Demetrius Watson
- Pennsylvania (2): Ryan Brubaker, Keenan Nelson Jr.
- Texas (2): Landon Samson, Peyton Williams
- Delaware (1): Braden Davis Mississippi (1): Stone Blanton
- North Carolina (1): D’Andre Martin
ESPN rankings put USC No. 16 overall
This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 9:55 AM.
