Talented in-state 4-star prospect announces surprise college commitment

The South Carolina football roster is loaded with veteran wide receivers. Gage Larvadain, Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, Dalevon Campbell, Payton Mangrum, and Luke Doty are all seniors (though, Doty could return for a sixth year in 2025), and Jared Brown is a redshirt junior. Even Nyck Harbor, just a sophomore, is expected to have just two more years in Columbia as a player with his physical profile is sure to be an intriguing NFL Draft prospect when eligible after 2025.

With all of the turnover coming over the next two years, high school recruiting at the wide receiver position was a top priority this offseason. That priority goal was made more difficult by coaching change at the position, but after multiple moves were made, USC head coach Shane Beamer hired Mike Furrey, and, so far, that decision has paid dividends for the Gamecock recruiting efforts.

Jayden Sellers, who committed to the program back in the fall, locked in his pledge with Furrey, and 4-star players Brian Rowe and Lex Cyrus has joined the 2025 South Carolina football recruiting class, too.

On Thursday, another big-time pass-catcher announced his commitment, but this recruiting battle did not go the Gamecocks' way.

Malik Clark, a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, is a consensus 4-star recruit, and he chose the Florida State Seminoles over the South Carolina Gamecocks, North Carolina Tar Heels, and NC State Wolfpack. Florida State was not in the picture much until recently, but the 'Noles left a strong impression late in the game and secured Clark's pledge.

Even without Clark, Carolina has two 4-star receivers (Rowe and Cyrus) in the '25 recruiting haul, and the third pledge at the position (Sellers) is just one point away from 4-star status in the rankings from both 247Sports and ESPN.

It is unclear at this point if the Gamecocks will pursue another high school receiver target.