247Sports released an update to their class of 2025 recruiting rankings this week, and several South Carolina football commitments and targets saw their stock improve. Wide receiver commit Brian Rowe is now a 4-star recruit, and major targets like Jared Smith, Malik Clark, Brandon Finney, Kevin Wynn, Jaylen Gilchrist, and Jontae Gilbert all had their rating and/or ranking improve. Another Gamecock pledge, though, was one of the recruiting outlet's biggest risers in the update.
Elite defensive back Shamari Earls was already a 4-star prospect in 247Sports' last update, but the Virginia native went up almost 50 spots from #114 to 68th overall in the country. He is now ranked inside the top-82 nationally, regardless of position, by On3, ESPN, and 247Sports.
The ratings bump for Earls doesn't come as much of a surprise to those who have watched his film.
Having played all over the secondary at the prep level, Earls is almost assuredly a future college corner. He is rated as such by the recruiting industry, except by Rivals, which ranks him as an athlete.
Earls is long (listed at 6'2" but with an even longer wingspan) and athletic. He has fast and fluid, using elite quickness, smooth hips, and big-time "stickiness" to hang with receivers at any spot on the field. He also has good ball skills and a natural instinct for when to stick his hand out to knock a ball away or go for an interception.
While it was Earls' man coverage ability that most intrigued Gamecock defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, he has shown some solid chops in zone as a center field player in high school, as well.
Earls plays receiver in high school, too, meaning he has a good understanding of what his opponents want to do. That can do nothing but help him as he develops as a corner.
You can watch some of his film here.