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Ranking the 3 biggest needs Shane Beamer must address in the 2027 recruiting class

The Gamecocks still have some holes to fill in its 2027 class.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
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Nov 22, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer leads his team onto the field before their game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer leads his team onto the field before their game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

We are in the heart of the college football offseason as the summertime is fast approaching. But just as the temperatures are starting to rise across the country, the high school football recruiting trail is also heating up. 

Head coach Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks have been getting major wins on the recruiting trail. He's picked up some big-time blue-chip prospects, like 4-stars in Javien Robinson and running back Brayden Tyson as well as tight end Judah Lancaster. 

While the 2027 class includes nine members and ranks 25th nationally in the country, there are still several needs that need to be addressed within the class. 

Without further ado, let's rank the biggest needs Coach Beamer needs to address in the 2027 class.  

1. EDGE rusher

South Carolina's 2027 class does not yet include an EDGE rusher, so this is at the top of the board for the Gamecocks. South Carolina has several big names in-play, including 4-star Frederick Ards. South Carolina reportedly has a "slight edge" over Ards as of earlier this month. He is rated as the No. 9 overall EDGE rusher for 2027 out of Orlando, Fla., and has a visit to South Carolina scheduled for May 1. The Gamecocks will obviously have to compete with the likes of Florida and Florida State, as well as Alabama and Texas A&M.  will reportedly 

The Gamecocks are also in the mix for the nation's No. 10 overall EDGE rusher in KJ Green out of Stone Mountain, Ga. He has a visit to Columbia on the books for June 12, and also plans to visit Georgia, Oregon, Texas and Alabama this summer. 

And there is also 4-star James Pace III, who is rated as the No. 4 overall prospect out of Maryland. Although he does not have a visit planned for South Carolina just yet, the Gamecocks are listed as "warm" on his 247 page, along with Tennessee, Maryland and Georgia. 

2. Cornerback

South Carolina does not have a cornerback in its 2027 class, so this is another big need for Beamer and company. The biggest target for the Gamecocks here is five-star Joshua Dobson, rated as the No. 3 overall corner for 2027. 

The Cornelius, N.C. prospect has a visit to South Carolina scheduled for June 19, the last of his officials. Although some have predicted him to land at Texas A&M, the Gamecocks seeing him last this summer could give them a chance to make a lasting impression on him. Although he is a safety, South Carolina is also recruiting Dobson's high school teammate, Davion Jones. 

Another target for South Carolina here is 4-star Kelvin Millington, who was so impressed with his unofficial to Columbia just last weekend that he scheduled an official for June 5. 

Last but not least, although three-star cornerback Brandon Allen Jr. is committed to Mississippi State, he is still being recruited by South Carolina. In fact, he visited the Gamecocks on May 1. 

3. Running Back

Running back is ranked third here because yes, the Gamecocks did just land the aforementioned Brayden Tyson. While he is listed as an athlete by 247Sports, the Gamecocks recruited him as a running back. 

But even with his commitment, South Carolina is expected to continue recruiting the position. The Gamecocks did not sign a running back in the 2025 or 2026 class, so this is a big need for South Carolina in general. In fact, the last big-time running back Coach Beamer landed was rising junior Matt Fuller in 2024, who is expected to have a big season in Columbia this fall. 

South Carolina has offered 14 running backs so far this cycle, and several targets remain on the board. One of the biggest is right in South Carolina's backyard in 4-star David Segarra. The Duncan, S.C. prospect included the Gamecocks in his final list of schools just last month. South Carolina is up against his finalists in Indiana, Penn State, Tennessee and Stanford. He has an official visit on the books for South Carolina for June 19th, saving the Gamecocks for last. 

Keep an eye on three-star prospect Javarris Warner, out of Lagrange, Ga. The Troup County High School product has an official visit set for June 5 in Columbia.    

ALSO READ: Why South Carolina could be closing in on safety Davion Jones

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