South Carolina Football New Year's Resolutions:
Attack the Future
Something that Shane Beamer and his staff have done really well since arriving in Columbia is attacking the future. Recruiting efforts have been as good as they have ever been for Carolina, and that success was seen with back-to-back classes in 2023 and 2024 that could be considered top-5 classes ever at USC.
If the Shane Beamer era in Columbia is to be a successful one, that relentless effort in recruiting has to continue. However, as of now, South Carolina football has just one commitment in the class of 2025 in wide receiver Jayden Sellers (younger brother of presumed starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers). Carolina also has one 2026 pledge in 4-star quarterback Landon Duckworth, but the Gamecocks need to pick up some '25 momentum.
The Gamecocks missed out on top in-state talent Amare Adams, and one of the state's top-2 running backs in the cycle in Marquise Henderson as both players committed to the rival Clemson Tigers.
It's still early in the process as class of 2025 recruits won't be able to sign with a school for over 11 1/2 months, but picking up some future talent has to happen soon.
'25 blue chip players like defensive tackle Elijah Griffin, offensive tackle David Sanders, quarterback Ryan Montgomery, defensive back Jontae Gilbert, offensive lineman Chauncey Gooden, running back Ladainnian Martin, and others have expressed interest in the Gamecocks.
"Stacking classes" is an overused phrase in recruiting these days, but the premise behind the phrase is correct: teams have to put together three or four good recruiting classes in a row to have a real chance to compete for the College Football Playoff. South Carolina football has had two really good classes in a row, but they still need more.
If the '25 cycle ends up looking similar to the end results from 2023 and 2024, the Gamecocks will be a good football team again soon. Resolving to continue recruiting excellence is a no-brainer.