Saturday night in Columbia, South Carolina has the feeling of one of the bigger games in quite some time. Not only is it an important game for the remainder of the season, but it is one of the biggest recruiting weekends so far this season. Not only will Shane Beamer and Co. have players that have already committed in attendance, but some of the biggest targets in upcoming classes as well.
Current Commitments in Attendance
Among the players already committed will be quarterback Landon Duckworth, a commitment in the 2026 class for the Gamecocks. Joining him are South Carolina pledges Darius Gray, KJ Johnson, Aiden Harris, and Andrew Harris, all commitments in the 2026 class.
Those aren't the only players that will be in attendance, as some of the biggest recruits in all of college football are also reportedly going to be in attendance.
Notable Major Recruits
Four-star defensive end Julian Walker will be in Columbia for the second consecutive weekend. Joining him will be LaDamion Guyton, the No. 1 overall player in the 2027 class, as well as Tico Crittendon, a three-star defensive end currently committed to Florida State
2027 Targets
Along with some of the top-notch talent and players already committed, South Carolina will have several of its 2027 targets in attendance as well on Saturday. That list includes Jaiden Bryant, KJ Green, Jaiden Kelly-Murray, and Anthony Sweeny. Each of those players will get the chance to experience Williams-Brice Stadium alive and rocking with the scheduled 7:45 p.m. kickoff.
Weekends like this one are more important than some may realize. In a world full of NIL and social media views, recruits care about this stuff now more than they ever have. Recruits want the night game experience to feel what it could be like if they decide to join the program in the future.
Taking care of business on Saturday against Vanderbilt is important for both the present and the future of South Carolina football under Shane Beamer.