South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his staff just brought in two 5-star players in the class of 2024. Offensive tackle Josiah Thompson and EDGE Dylan Stewart are the first pair of 5-stars to sign in the same class for USC since 2020 (running back MarShawn Lloyd and defensive end Jordan Burch). It's just the second time that has happened for the Gamecocks in the modern recruiting era.
Though the Gamecocks brought in Stewart in the 2024 class, they cannot let up in defensive end/EDGE recruiting. In modern college football, teams need multiple elite pass rushers in order to have a chance at competing against the pass-heavy offenses of the day.
One of Carolina's future targets at the position is consensus top-80 prospect Zahir Mathis. Named a finalist for his services back in the fall, the South Carolina football staff has been recruiting Mathis heavily, and he revealed earlier this week that he would be committing on Wednesday. South Carolina, Ohio State, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida State were his finalists.
A little after lunchtime on Wednesday afternoon, Mathis revealed his decision during a live announcement.
BOOM! 2025 4⭐️ DE Zahir Mathis has committed to Ohio State.
— Buckeye Intel (@BuckeyeIntel) January 10, 2024
Top 5 @247Sports Composite Edge who stands at 6’6” 230 pounds.
MASSIVE get from Larry Johnson and the first DL commit in their ‘25 class. pic.twitter.com/DaX0IKQSrK
In the end, recent crystal balls from 247Sports' Brian Dohn and Steve Wiltfong proved to be correct, and Mathis chose Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes over the Gamecocks, Longhorns, Volunteers, and Seminoles.
Missing on Mathis doesn't necessarily kill the Gamecocks this cycle as there is still plenty of time before the class of 2025 puts pen to paper and officially joins their college teams. Carolina will continue to recruit Mathis and will keep up their efforts with other defensive end targets.
Players like Bryce Davis, Caleb Williams, Sharlandiin Strange, and Anthony Addison are on the long list of targets that the South Carolina football staff are in on in the '25 cycle.