The South Carolina football program is in the midst of a huge chunk of the recruiting calendar. Unfortunately for Gamecock fans, the first two weeks of the three-week stretch resulted in just one commitment (4-star safety Kendall Daniels, Jr.) as Lagonza Hayward (Tennessee Volunteers), Cortez Smith (Georgia Bulldogs), Giyahni Kontosis (Cincinnati Bearcats), Spike Sowells (NC State Wolfpack), Bryce Davis (Clemson Tigers), and Malik Clark (Florida State Seminoles) chose other teams. A decommitment also came through as Jaiden Braker (3-star linebacker/EDGE) flipped to the LSU Tigers.
On Friday, the Daniels commitment stopped the bleeding, but there was another announcement that didn't go the Gamecocks' way a few hours later. 4-star offensive tackle Juan Gaston from Atlanta, Georgia announced his college commitment, and the choice came in as expected (albeit, with about 7 different fake-outs during the announcement).
Gaston is a Georgia Bulldog, picking UGA over the South Carolina Gamecocks, Oregon Ducks, and Tennessee Volunteers. Like Cortez Smith before him, USC was a finalist, but Kirby Smart's home-state 'Dawgs were the clear favorite for a long time.
In the class of 2025, South Carolina football already has earned a commitment from 4-star versatile offensive lineman Shed Sarratt. The Gaffney, South Carolina native has experience playing tackle and guard and is the top high school offensive lineman in the Palmetto State in the '25 cycle.
There will be opportunities to pick up some recruiting wins for the Gamecocks, though.
On Saturday, another major offensive line target for USC will be announcing his college choice. Jaylen Gilchrist, a Virginia native, is announcing between the South Carolina Gamecocks, Maryland Terrapins, and Georgia Bulldogs. A 4-star prospect who, like Sarratt, could play tackle or guard at the collegiate level, was considered a heavy Gamecock lean for most of his recruitment, but Maryland has made things really tight heading into Saturday's decision ceremony. There are predictions from national recruiting analysts for both the 'Cocks and the Terps.
Also on Saturday, 5-star EDGE Jared Smith will be picking between the South Carolina Gamecocks, Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, and Ole Miss Rebels. Auburn is considered the favorite to land Smith, but South Carolina was the clear leader for a long time and is not out of the running.