Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks are busy on the recruiting trail. Although 2025 was a down season in Columbia, finishing 4-8, the Gamecock coaching staff is busy scheduling official visits for several blue-chip prospects.Â
One of those four-star defensive lineman John Archer, who officially locked in an official visit to South Carolina for June 19, per The Big Spur.Â
Archer is rated as the No. 16 ranked defensive lineman for 2027, and the No. 6 overall prospect out of North Carolina. He plays high school football out of Seventy-First in Fayetteville, N.C.Â
The four-star also has visits with Florida scheduled for June 4, and one with Auburn set for May 29. He holds offers from several big-names schools, including Georgia, Ohio State, Texas and Virginia Tech.Â
Here's 247Sports' Andrew Ivins official scouting report of Archer, from August 2025:Â
"-Disruptive interior force with video game-like production at the prep level (60 TFLs his first two seasons on varsity).
-Looks to be well north of 300 pounds with a wide lower half and larger features. Tends to overwhelm blockers in 1-on-1 situations with his sheer mass and can split double teams with his power.
-Provides easy upfield surge with his initial quickness and snap anticipation.
-Could improve pursuit range in the coming years, but will cave gaps with his leg drive and tax zone-blocking schemes.
-Projects at this stage as a potential plug for a College Football Playoff contender that could likely fit into an odd or even front."
Per MaxPreps, Archer accounted for 210 total tackles with nine sacks and 77 tackles for loss across three seasons tracked by the outlet.Â
South Carolina's 2027 class features just two verbal commits in three-star safety Jernard Albright and quarterback Jerry Meyer III, so adding Archer to the class would be much-needed.
2 South Carolina Gamecocks with high odds to be 2027 NFL Draft's No. 1 overall pick
Add us as a preferred source on Google