The South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Shane Beamer need to make up some serious ground on the recruiting trail for the 2027 class. It has just eight total members, and ranks 63rd in the country. It is also second-to-last in the SEC.
But one key target the Gamecocks appear to be closing in on is 4-star wide receiver Amare Patterson. The 2027 prospect took a surprise visit to Columbia over the weekend, although he was initially scheduled to visit the Florida Gators. In an even more intriguing turn of events, Patterson posted on X that Florida "will be revisited" despite playing a big role in his recruitment:
I WILL BE AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA THIS WEEKEND INSTEAD FLORIDA #AGTG FLORIDA HAS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN MY RECRUITMENT AND IT WILL BE REVISITED
— Amare “AP” Patterson 4⭐️WR (@AmarePatterson) June 9, 2026
It appears that South Carolina impressed the receiver during his visit. Gamecock Central reported that Patterson felt "at home" during his visit, and 247Sports added that the Gamecocks 'stepped all the way up' for the wideout.
Patterson, who plays high school football out of Bluffton High School in Ridgeland, S.C., is rated as the No. 33 overall receiver for 2027 per the 247Sports Composite. He is also rated as the No. 5 overall recruit out of South Carolina.
Obviously winning the Palmetto State in recruiting is a main focal point for Shane Beamer and company, and landing a prospect like Patterson is a great way to do just that. The receiver also visited Georgia and Georgia Tech in recent weeks, as well. South Carolina's 2027 class currently has zero prospects from South Carolina in it, opting to look elsewhere like Georgia, North Carolina and Texas for its members so far.
South Carolina does have a receiver in its 2027 class, in three-star receiver DJ Huggins, as well as three-star tight end Judah Lancaster. But Patterson would be one of the highest-rated recruits of South Carolina's 2027 class, if he ends up committing to the Gamecocks. Here's 247Sports' scouting report of Patterson, via Andrew Ivins:
YAC monster with a powerful build that gets into the end zone. Can certainly challenge defenses vertically with his track speed, but makes his money in the quick perimeter game as he weaves through traffic and finds daylight. Ability to pull away from defenders after reeling in the long ball is rare. Might be under 6-foot-1, but plays bigger than the numbers suggest with his jump timing and body positioning. Shows a willingness to block and that same physicality shows up when the ball is in his hands.
Patterson is also a versatile athlete, running track for his high school, as well. According to MaxPreps, he had 51 receptions for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, adding another 136 rush yards.
He will be announcing his verbal commitment on Saturday, June 20. Gamecock fans will be tuning into his announcement quite closely, to say the least.
Per Rivals' predictions, the Gamecocks have a 95% chance of landing the receiver after his visit to Columbia. Landing the receiver might be just what Beamer needs to get his 2027 recruiting back on track.
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