South Carolina football: nation’s No. 1 QB Jadyn Davis to be at Kentucky game

South Carolina football’s next matchup versus Kentucky is important for a variety of reasons. It represents a chance for the Gamecocks to pick up its first SEC win of the Shane Beamer era. It’s the home conference opener for the 2021 season. It’s an opportunity to get closer to bowl eligibility. It’s a night kickoff with an anticipated sold-out crowd expected to hinder Kentucky’s success on the field.

Now, there’s another reason for Gamecock fans to get excited about this weekend’s contest.

Jadyn Davis, the nation’s top player for the class of 2024 according to 24/7 Sports, will be on hand when South Carolina takes on the Wildcats. Davis is a Palmetto State native that’s been a high priority target for the new coaching staff despite the fact that he’s still got a couple years of high school football left to play.

Hailing from Fort Mill, SC, Davis already holds offers from all of the country’s top programs including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. This will be Davis’s second consecutive time seeing the Gamecocks in action as he was on hand for the matchup against Georgia last weekend in Sanford Stadium.

If South Carolina can show the ability to move the ball and be successful on offense, it could help lure the quarterback to Columbia. What may also help is having dual-threat passer Luke Doty under center, as the coaching staff can showcase what they can do with a versatile player at the helm.

Davis could represent Beamer’s first major “get” on the recruiting trail in Columbia. Obviously there is a long way to go in his recruitment, but this weekend could be the first step in swaying him to stay home and play for the Gamecocks. A great atmosphere in Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday will certainly help.