Shane Beamer on verge of landing 4-star RB who decommitted from Florida State

It looks like South Carolina may have finally got one over on FSU on the trail.

The Seminoles have targeted South Carolina repeatedly in the portal -- Keir Thomas, Jammie Robinson and Jaheim Bell were the notable guys that were poached to Tallahassee. 

But what comes around eventually goes around, and this time it's composite four-star running back Amari Thomas. The former FSU commit has been trending heavily for the Gamecocks over the past week, and it looks like South Carolina will be his new home when he makes an official announcement in August. 

​South Carolina currently has the 24th-ranked recruiting class in the nation according to 247Sports and Thomas' pledge could move the class into the Top 20.

This is a big feather in the cap for running backs coach Marquel Blackwell, a Florida high school legend in his own right. Blackwell is a big part of South Carolina's recruiting extension into the state of Florida. The Gamecocks have had a decent presence in the Sunshine state for a long time and Blackwell is the type of coach that can level up the recruiting efforts there.

Beamer's Blueprint: South Carolina focuses on regional pipeline

​Recruiting in college sports is not made equal. Some programs have a regional advantage by location, others have a solidified national brand and still others have deep pockets. 

South Carolina, under Beamer, is focusing on its regional advantages and recruiting in the SEC strongholds like Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama, home of quarterback re-commit Landon Duckworth.

Beamer's main goal is still to be aggressive with the in-state targets and win battles with Clemson when necessary. He has also worked to expand the recruiting arm into North Carolina. 

"[There are] so many players in the state of North Carolina that want to come across state lines and play SEC football," Beamer said last week at SEC Media Days. "We knew we needed to attack the state of North Carolina harder in recruiting, and we absolutely have since then; guys on our team now and guys that have committed to come play for us next season as well."

It's around these six states where the South Carolina staff focuses on and utilizes its resources. They understand that there is enough talent in this area to build competitive recruiting classes. All 13 verbal commits hail from these six states, with nine of the pledges from Carolina. Thomas' expected commitment will put Florida on the board. 

So far Beamer's plan is working to perfection.