It’s signing day! Gamecocks at double-digits with in-state recruits. More on the way?
Shane Beamer stressed the importance of recruiting in-state all the way back at his introductory press conference in December 2020.
The South Carolina football coach has backed up those words in his four seasons in Columbia, and that’s evident again on Wednesday during the first day of the early signing period. The Gamecocks had 10 commitments from the Palmetto State as of Wednesday morning and have a chance to add two more.
Hammond tight end Mike Tyler, an LSU commit, switched to the Gamecocks on Wednesday afternoon, giving the Gamecocks 11 in-state commits. South Carolina is also in a good spot with Irmo receiver Donovan Murph, who is reclassifying to the 2025 class and will announce his college choice Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-American Game. It will come down to the Gamecocks and Clemson for Murph.
“We’re always going to start here in South Carolina. We saw the foundation was laid here 10 years ago with great players from this state,” Beamer said at his introductory press conference in 2020. “... There’s absolutely no reason why a guy would not want to come play football here at the University of South Carolina. If you’re a guy in this state, if you’re a young man in this state, understand that you can accomplish all of your goals on and off the field right here in Columbia. You don’t have to go anywhere else to do that.”
Twice since 2011 have the Gamecocks signed 10 or more in-state players in a particular recruiting class. South Carolina signed 12 in 2017 (10 from high schools and two JUCO) and 11 in 2011. That 2011 class featured Jadeveon Clowney, who was the No. 1 recruit in the country.
Of USC’s 10 commitments so far, six are in the top 12 in the state, according to 247Sports. By contrast Clemson has just two commits in-state, the No. 1 and No. 4 prospects in South Florence’s Amare Adams and Belton-Honea Path’s Marquise Henderson.
“They have done a terrific job in the state of South Carolina, really making it a priority,” 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Tom Loy said this week. “... Really, really impressive job and that is what it is really about. South Carolina has done a really good job controlling the state.”
Loy says what the Gamecocks have been able to do getting the in-state recruits instead of Clemson is similar to what Auburn has been able to do this year against Alabama. The Tigers have nine of the 12 top prospects in state, while the Crimson Tide don’t have any.
The Gamecocks’ momentum with in-state players doesn’t appear to be ending soon, especially after a 9-3 regular season and being in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoffs. South Carolina already has three in-state commits for Class of 2026 including the state’s top-ranked prospect in South Pointe’s J’Zavien Currence.
“Beamer wants the best to stay home and win together so that’s the goal we have to do as in-state guys,” said Rock Hill WR Malik Clark, the highest ranked in-state prospect in the Gamecocks’ class.
South Carolina football’s 2025 in-state signees
- Malik Clark (WR), Rock Hill High
- Jordon Gidron (WR), Ridge View High
- Jayden Sellers (WR), South Florence High
- Cutter Woods (QB), Westside High
- Shedrick Sarratt (OL), Gaffney High
- Anthony Addison (Edge), Sumter High
- Jaquavious Dodd (Edge), Eastside High
- Jaquel Holman (ATH), Blackville-Hilda High
- Damarcus Leach (DB), Abbeville High
- Josh Smith (DE/LB), Dutch Fork High
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 8:18 AM.
