"I called coach Beamer back and that's when he let me know that I had the offer, then I went ahead and committed over the phone." Greenwood (S.C.) native Triston Lewis didn't even need time to things over. The 2026 quarterback and defensive back landed an offer from South Carolina on Thursday afternoon, and moments later, he became the newest Gamecock commit.
The 6-foot-3.5, 195-pound athlete had just finished batting practice for a baseball tournament in Atlanta when he checked his phone and saw a missed call from Shane Beamer. "I went to check my phone and had a missed call from coach Beamer, so my eyes lit up. I looked at my dad and he was looking at me smiling, with his thumbs up," Lewis said. "I called coach Beamer back and that's when he let me know that I had the offer, then I went ahead and committed over the phone."
Lewis, a rising junior at Greenwood High School, is the 12th commitment in the Gamecocks' 2026 class. While he has been a starting quarterback for the Eagles, South Carolina is bringing him in to play safety. He has a solid relationship with defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, who's served as his lead recruiter in recent months. The two had just had a Zoom call just days prior to the call from Beamer with the official offer. "What's crazy is I had a Zoom meeting with coach (Torrian) Gray yesterday, and he was just checking in, letting me know everything is still going good."
Lewis was on the radar for South Carolina last fall when he visited for the Gamecocks' win over Wofford. That trip made a lasting impression. "Ever since then, I've wanted to play for South Carolina, just because of the atmosphere at Williams-Brice and just the fan-base all around," he said.
During a return to Columbia for camp last month, Lewis put up some impressive numbers: a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.53 in the shuttle, and an 11-foot broad jump. His size, athleticism, and versatility made him an intriguing target, especially for a program that prioritizes in-state talent.
Lewis' instant commitment is a testament to the culture at South Carolina. Shane Beamer and his staff are focused on keeping top in-state prospects home. And for Lewis, it wasn't just about football, it was about family and a feeling that he belongs.