South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his Gamecocks have been hot on the recruiting trail in the month of April.
In less than three weeks on the calendar, the Gamecocks secured commitments from 4-star wide receiver Brian Rowe, in-state defensive back Damarcus Leach, 4-star EDGE Anthony Addison, 4-star cornerback Shamari Earls, and 4-star defensive lineman Caleb Williams in the class of 2025. 4-star 2026 linebacker Rodney Colton, Jr. also pledged himself to Beamer and the South Carolina football program. Another unnamed commitment still has not revealed himself.
However, it is unrealistic to expect the Gamecocks to bring in every prospect they are in contention to land. On Saturday, the Gamecocks missed on a target when tight end target Hayden Bradley announced his college commitment decision, pledging his services to a school other than the University of South Carolina.
1000% COMMITTED‼️🦈 @Lane_Kiffin @CoachJoeCox @_kbolden @OleMissFB @Coach_Davis22 @CoachDash @CoachCondon16 pic.twitter.com/4vXS9i7WTY
— Hayden Bradley (@Hayden_bradleyy) April 27, 2024
After announcing his top-5 earlier this week, Bradley picked the Ole Miss Rebels over the South Carolina Gamecocks, Michigan Wolverines, Florida Gators, and Penn State Nittany Lions. Bradley had been a name that was a bit under the radar for USC, so it is not a major surprise that he committed elsewhere.
South Carolina football does not yet have a commitment at the tight end position in the class of 2025 as targets like Ethan Barbour, Marshall Pritchett, and, now, Bradley all decided to commit to other programs.
The Gamecocks have four tight ends on the roster who have at least three years of eligibility remaining (Michael Smith, Connor Cox, Reid Mikeska, and Brady Hunt), so taking a player at the position is not a must, but Carolina likely will kick the tires on a few more prospects anyway.
The class of 2025 cycle is still heating up, so fans should not be surprised for more news to break soon regarding the Gamecocks' recruiting efforts.