Where South Carolina football sits in recruiting rankings ahead of early signing day
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COLUMBIA — Though South Carolina football had its worst season yet under coach Shane Beamer, he remains confident in the 2026 signing class.
Early signing day is Dec. 3 and unlike a lot of bowl eligible teams, Beamer’s focus is solely on high school recruits as the Gamecocks’ season is over. The Gamecocks went 9-3 last year and signed 25 recruits on early signing day, After going 4-8 this year, Beamer is hoping to sign all 14 of his commits.
As it stands now, Beamer’s class ranks No. 22 nationally.
Here’s how the South Carolina class looks before the early signing period.
South Carolina football recruiting rankings under Shane Beamer
South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class ranks No. 22 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite, and 10th in the SEC, trailing Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida, Oklahoma and Ole Miss.
Last year, Beamer’s class ranked No. 18 nationally, the 2024 class ranked No. 22 nationally, the 2023 class was No. 16 nationally and the 2022 class was No. 24. Beamer was hired in December 2020, with his first full season in 2021.
“We’ve got a hell of a class that we’re about to sign,” Beamer said on Nov. 29 after the 28-14 loss to Clemson. “I know it’s not a huge class and that’s what the recruiting experts base the rankings on but if you look at the average star rating or whatever it is, we have a top 10 class and we ain’t done yet either in some ways.”
South Carolina football recruiting targets before signing day 2025
Julian Walker, a four-star edge rusher from Irmo, South Carolina, is committed to Michigan but a potential last-minute flip for the Gamecocks. He posted pictures from a visit in October on social media.
Walker’s father, Jamil Walker, is the assistant football strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina.
Julian Walker is the No. 3 player from the state according to the 247Sports Composite and plays for Dutch Fork High School.
Prospects in South Carolina football recruiting class 2025
South Carolina has commitments from 14 prospects, including nine four-stars and five three-stars. Beamer lost two commitments over the course of the season, including tight end Jamel Howse, who decommitted in October and committed to Appalachian State, where former South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains coaches.
The class is led by Darius Gray, a four-star prospect. He’s an interior offensive lineman from Richmond, Virginia.
He joins four-star recruits in cornerback J’Zavien Currence, defensive lineman Aiden Harris, linebacker Andrew Harris , defensive lineman Noah Clark, cornerback Kosci Barnes, quarterback Landon Duckworth, offensive tackle Zyon Guiles and wide receiver Sequel Patterson.
The Gamecocks also are bringing in three-star recruits in edge rusher Keenan Britt, cornerback KJ Johnson, interior offensive lineman Anthony Baxter, wide receiver Caden Ramsey and safety Triston Lewis.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football recruiting ranking before early signing day
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