It is officially Early Signing Day in South Carolina, and under Shane Beamer’s vision, the South Carolina Gamecocks continue stacking bodies with high-ceiling players aimed at building depth and long-term relevance for the program. The latest haul on Wednesday morning brings in two more rising stars: in-state interior lineman Zyon Guiles and North Carolina cornerback Kosci Barnes.
Zyon Guiles is the Anchor Upfront
From Carvers Bay High in Hemingway, SC, Guiles is a massive 6-foot-5, 290-pound interior lineman. He committed to South Carolina back on March 21, 2025, deciding to stay in state despite major offers from big programs like Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and more.
Evaluators praise Guiles as one of the nation’s premier 2026 interior offensive-line prospects. According to On3, he ranks among the top 3 IOLs in the class nationally and No. 1 in South Carolina. Guiles wasn’t just recruited by the Gamecocks, he was prioritized. Coaches saw the size, power, and movement skills needed to plug in early and help shore up an offensive front that’s lacked consistency this season.
Kosci Barnes is a Defensive Steal
Barnes comes from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, NC, standing 6-foot-2 and185 pounds. He committed to South Carolina in late July 2025, choosing the Gamecocks over strong competition including Miami, Kentucky, Rutgers, North Carolina and Mississippi State.
While he entered the recruiting cycle at mid-level, Barnes has since earned a reputation as one of the biggest risers in the Carolinas’ 2026 class. He is physical, instinctive, with the length and speed that fit the mold under defensive-backs coach Torrian Gray.
As a junior, Barnes helped lead Grimsley High to a 16–0 season and a 4A state championship. He posted 59 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, five pass breakups, and three picks. He consistently shows that he is more than just length: he can tackle, play the ball, and stick with receivers.
What It Means for 2026
These two officially signing with South Carolina will beef up the trenches in Columbia. With Guiles, the Gamecocks will add length, while adding cover potential with Barnes. It speaks to a larger blueprint for what Shane Beamer is trying to do: build a class that can contribute early, not just turn into pipelined depth. With both linemen and defensive backs prioritized, South Carolina isn’t just chasing talent, they’re chasing balance.
If Beamer and staff keep this up, 2026 could mark a turning point, not just a class of recruits, but a class that matters, one that might actually help tilt the field.