Can South Carolina football land transfer Quinn Ewers?

The South Carolina football staff is on the road recruiting as they look to close out the 2022 class strong. In-home visits have already begun to take place and we should see a few more dominoes fall with the early signing period quickly approaching.

While many may link recruiting to high school student-athletes, the everchanging landscape in college football is forcing programs to rethink this notion. The transfer portal is as active as ever with high-profile players moving from school to school in hopes of earning more playing time.

And playing time is something the South Carolina football can offer.

One particular position of note is under center where the Gamecocks could be thin in 2022. Landing a highly rated transfer could change that though, and there’s a former No. 1 overall recruit with a tie to the team.

South Carolina football making its pitch

Quinn Ewers made headlines last season by skipping his senior season at Southlake Carroll High to enroll at Ohio State. He was the top-rated signal caller in his class entering college with five-star status.

His move was made partially with financial motivation as he was able to cash in a seven-figure NIL deal. He also had a chance to play for one of the most prestigious programs in college football.

Fast forward one season, though, and things have changed. The snowy setting of Columbus has grown tired and he’s looking for a change of scenery. Ewers entered the transfer portal when the season wrapped up as he announced his intentions to find a new home.

Could South Carolina be an option?

There’s reason to believe that the Gamecocks have a shot, here. One, coach Beamer’s work at Oklahoma has to give him some familiarity with Ewers dating back to his days in Texas. Coach Justin Stepp is familiar with the top performers in the area, too.

In fact, coach Stepp was instrumental in landing four-star wide receiver and Ewers’ former teammate, Landon Samson. Samson is finishing up an All-American career at Southlake Carroll and intends to sign with the Gamecocks in just a few weeks.

One thing you may not know… Samson and Ewers are very close. Rumors are even swirling around message boards that Ewers was in attendance when coach Beamer and Co. made their in-home visit with Samson earlier this month.

Is that enough to pull the talented passer away from the state of Texas? Who knows?

It’s certainly a positive sign, though, that Beamer is getting his pitch out to the nation’s top prospects and that he’s prioritized the transfer portal throughout his time in Columbia. Ewers is reportedly visiting with Texas, TCU, and Texas Tech this week so it could still be a longshot.

If Ewers does decide to venture outside the Lonestar State, South Carolina would be as good a landing place as any. He’s already a fit with hairstyle as the Gamecocks have seen their fair share of success with mullet-wearing gunslingers. One led the program to its first ever bowl win while the next took the Gamecocks all the way to the SEC Championship Game.

Where could Ewers take South Carolina football?