Trio of South Carolina football targets announce Gamecocks as finalists

On Thursday, new South Carolina football director of player development and recruiting Darren Uscher landed the first commitment of his tenure with the Gamecocks as he teamed with wide receivers coach Mike Furrey and head coach Shane Beamer on a final push that brought 4-star wide receiver Lex Cyrus into the fold.

Uscher has made another splash since coming on board, getting Carolina in the game with athletic EDGE/linebacker prospect Keenan Britt from Alabama. The 4-star prospect in the class of 2026 received his offer from USC and, within a couple of days, he included South Carolina football on his list of top schools.

Along with the South Carolina Gamecocks, Britt included the Ole Miss Rebels, Oregon Ducks, Tennessee Volunteers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Louisville Cardinals, Florida Gators, and UCF Golden Knights. Uscher previously had been recruiting Britt for Oregon, hence the Ducks' place in his top-8.

As a player, Britt has spent time at multiple spots on his Oxford High School defense. He has played as a traditional linebacker, as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end, as a stand-up EDGE, and even as an undersized nose tackle. He is listed at 6'2" and 230 pounds, but he has some solid athleticism and "get off" at the line of scrimmage. His instincts are good, and he has a knack for recognizing plays and quickly getting from his gap to the ball carrier.

The Gamecocks made the top list for another big-time prospect, as well, though, the relationship began much earlier than Uscher's hire.

Louisville native and 3-star interior offensive lineman Isaac "Spike" Sowells has been high on the South Carolina football program for some time, and on Thursday, he released his final three schools. The Gamecocks made the cut ahead of Sowell's commitment announcement planned for next week.

The battle for Spike Sowells has come down to three teams as the South Carolina Gamecocks, Kentucky Wildcats, and NC State Wolfpack are his three finalists. He will announce his college decision next Thursday, July 18th.

As a player, Sowells is a ferocious competitor who enjoys putting defenders in the dirt in support of his quarterback and skill position players. The Louisville native is strong and athletic, making up for what some perceive as a lack of size (listed at 6'2" and 290 pounds). Sowells' father, Isaac Sowells, Sr., played for the Indiana Hoosiers and then for six seasons in the NFL, and the interior offensive line apple didn't fall too far from the tree. Sowells' pedigree is seen clearly on film as he has shown everything needed to be a very good college offensive lineman.

An even longer-standing relationship exists between the Gamecocks and another big-time offensive lineman.

4-star offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist (who is rated as both an interior offensive lineman and as a tackle) from Salem High School has been considered a heavy Gamecock lean for some time, but a recent push from the Georgia Bulldogs and the geographic pull of the local Maryland Terrapins has made the race closer. He released his top-3 on Thursday, and it was no surprise which teams made the cut.

As expected, Gilchrist's top-3 included the South Carolina Gamecocks, Maryland Terrapins, and Georgia Bulldogs. The 4-star lineman is expected to make a college commitment soon, but he has not released a specific date for his announcement.

As a player, Gilchrist is a mauler up front. He has the strength and athleticism needed to be an effective blocker in every situation. He can be the blocker at the point of attack, clearing the way for a back to run behind him. He can pull around the outside and find someone in space to destroy. He can drop into pass protection well, even keeping his head on a swivel for free rushers if he is left uncovered. He can play any spot on the offensive line and be an excellent player at whichever spot he lands at the college level.

You can watch some of Britt's film here.

You can watch some of Sowells' film here.

You can watch some of Gilchrist's film here.