South Carolina football is off to one of its best-ever starts in recruiting for the 2024 cycle. Five four-star prospects have pledged themselves publicly to the Gamecocks, and the recruiting momentum in Columbia does not appear to be slowing.
South Carolina Football’s 2024 Commits
Woodland High’s Kam Pringle, the number-1 offensive tackle in the nation according to on3.com, is a borderline 5-star who could see his rating bump up with a solid senior year this fall.
Mazeo Bennett, the four-star wide receiver from Greenville High, is also set for a slight ratings bump as he will begin being ranked as a receiver if the industry will drop the unneeded “athlete” tag.
Atlanta-area LB Wendell Gregory is an impressive athlete who has versatility at the position. He is ranked as high as the fourth linebacker in the nation by on3.
Savannah TE Michael Smith is ranked, regardless of position, in the top-153 nationally by both on3 and 247Sports. He is expected to be a matchup problem at tight end for the Gamecocks.
The class’ first commitment, quarterback Dante Reno, is a consensus top-300 player from Massachusetts who has already emerged as a future leader for the program.
Some of South Carolina Football’s 2024 Targets
Recruiting is an ever-changing landscape, so players will move in and out of the picture on an almost daily basis. As of now, here are some thoughts on a handful of South Carolina targets in the 2024 recruiting class.
Offense
QB Jayden Bradford: A Chapin native, Bradford transferred to IMG Academy in Florida last year. Bradford is still heavily considering the Gamecocks even though Dante Reno is already in the boat at the quarterback position.
WR Jonathan Paylor: Paylor is fast. A smaller receiver, he uses his speed and quickness to gain separation from defensive backs and is very comfortable with the ball in his hands. Paylor has visited twice in recent months and has had lots of good things to say about South Carolina but recently called Florida his “favorite school” from childhood.
WR Micah Gilbert: A Charlotte native, Gilbert has been interested in South Carolina for a while. The interest is mutual as Gilbert has developed into a big-bodied receiver who is a consensus four-star player. He does not seem close to making his collegiate decision, but the Gamecocks appear to be firmly in the mix to land the potential high school All-American.
OT Josiah Thompson: Thompson is an elite tackle prospect who has visited the Gamecocks more than almost any other 2024 recruit. He is a solid four-star recruit who is thought to have the ability to develop into a good SEC left tackle. The in-state prospect is considered a heavy lean to commit to Shane Beamer and company but has not set a commitment date as of yet.
G Blake Franks: Franks is a four-star interior lineman according to Rivals.com and is a high school teammate of Gamecock commitment Mazeo Bennett. Franks seems to be close to making his decision and appears to be down to South Carolina and Clemson.
ATH Demello Jones: Potentially a wide receiver, potentially a defensive back, Jones has risen up the rankings quickly. His recruiting is just now heating up, but he did include South Carolina in his top-10. Alabama has gotten the most love on his social media lately, but Jones’ recruitment is far from over.
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Defense
EDGE Dylan Stewart: An elite prospect from the DMV (where have we heard that before?) who will almost assuredly become a five-star when rankings are adjusted, Stewart is heavily considering the Gamecocks. Stewart has visited South Carolina numerous times, sometimes with committed players, sometimes with Gamecock targets, and even once by himself.
EDGE Jordan Ross: A player who will need to add weight, Ross is one of the most athletic EDGE prospects in the country. The Alabama native recently visited South Carolina and is considering the Gamecocks among a plethora of other big-time offers.
DT Hevin Brown-Shuler: Brown-Shuler was a high school teammate of incoming Gamecock freshman Trovon Baugh. He is a powerful interior defensive lineman who is considering South Carolina but seems more focused on Clemson and Georgia at this point.
DL Justin Greene: Greene is a high-ceiling defensive line prospect who could bulk up to play inside but has the athletic ability to be a big defensive end at the next level. He is believed to be extremely interested in South Carolina but just received an offer from his in-state Georgia Bulldogs.
CB Braydon Lee: A high school teammate of South Carolina freshman Desmond Umeozulu, Lee is a big-time corner prospect who is strongly considering South Carolina. He will need to add weight, but Lee’s natural ability has him fighting for top-100 status in recruiting circles.
CB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.: The son of the former Alabama corner with the same name, Kirkpatrick is almost certainly headed to Tuscaloosa if the Tide will take him. The Gamecocks are still involved and are considered by some to be the favorite if Nick Saban does not have a scholarship for him.
S Kelvin Hunter: Hunter is a Florence native who is a lean to South Carolina at this point in the recruiting process. Considered a four-star safety by both on3 and 247Sports, Hunter has not gotten the buzz he deserves. If he chooses the Gamecocks, he will join a loaded safety position group but is talented enough to compete.
ATH Kamron Mikell: One of the fastest players in the 2023 class, Mikell could play wide receiver or defensive back in college. South Carolina Defensive Backs Coach Torrian Gray is his primary recruiter, so that could signal where the Gamecocks would play him if he were to come to Columbia. He recently announced his top-14.
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