South Carolina Football: Elite offensive lineman names Gamecocks as finalist

South Carolina football is putting together one of its best-ever stretches of recruiting on the offensive line. In the 2023 recruiting class, the Gamecocks pulled in 4-star tackle Oluwatosin Babalade, 4-star guards Markee Anderson and Trovon Baugh, and high-upside 3-star tackle Jatavius Shivers.

In the 2024 class, Carolina has secured commitments from high 4-star tackles Josiah Thompson and Kam Pringle and 4-star guard Blake Franks. 3-star lineman Mike Williams was committed to the Gamecocks but was asked to back off of his pledge last week.

Another ’24 interior lineman could be Williams’ replacement in the class. Liam Andrews is a high 4-star lineman from Massachusetts who is expected to play on the interior in college.

On Friday, the 6’5″, 270-pound Andrews announced the final eight schools he will be considering moving forward.

Andrews announced a top-8 that included South Carolina, Oklahoma, LSU, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Miami, Florida, and Penn State. He is a good defensive lineman in high school, as well, but he is expected to play on the offensive line for any of his eight finalists.

Andrews is an athletic lineman who has the tools to be a very good pass blocker for an interior lineman. He is already a skilled run blocker, and once he adds some strength and weight to his frame, he could be a candidate to play early at the next level.

With Mike Williams no longer a part of the Gamecocks’ class and the solid commitments of Kam Pringle and Josiah Thompson at tackle, Lonnie Teasley (offensive line coach for South Carolina football) is expected to try to bring in another interior offensive lineman to pair with Blake Franks in the class.

Being from Massachusetts, Andrews is another New England prospect the Gamecocks are involved with in the class. 4-star quarterback commitment Dante Reno is from Massachusetts (and is playing his senior season in Connecticut), 4-star linebacker Elijah Newby is Reno’s high school teammate, and defensive back target David Rodriguez is from Massachusetts, as well.