While South Carolina is zeroing in on key targets for the Class of 2026, head coach Shane Beamer and his staff are already laying the groundwork for a strong haul for the 2027 class. With the release of the first Rivals300 rankings for the Class of 2027, several Gamecock targets saw their stock rise, and some rose quite dramatically.
The biggest headline is Joshua Dobson. The elite in-state cornerback from Catawba Ridge High School debuted as a five-star prospect and landed at No. 5 overall nationally. Dobson is the No. 1 cornerback in the country and the top ranked player in the state of South Carolina. Standing at 6-foot-1 with long arms and elite athleticism, Dobson profiles as a future shutdown defender at the collegiate level, and the Gamecocks are heavily in the mix to recruit him.
Another major priority for South Carolina is offensive line star Maxwell Hiller. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound athlete from Pennsylvania ranks No. 25 overall, No. 2 in Pennsylvania, and No. 2 nationally among interior offensive linemen. Hiller has the strength and polished footwork that could land him as a five-star as the recruiting cycle continues.
Another in-state talent that the Gamecocks are pursuing is four-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant from Irmo High School. He is ranked No. 46 overall and No. 4 among edge rushers. Bryant's frame at 6-foot-4 and 240-pounds gives him the upside that could wreak havoc in the SEC. He is already considered one of the top defensive prospects in the Palmetto State.
The South Carolina Gamecocks have also extended offers to several players in the Rivals300 Top 50, including:
- LaDamion Guyton
- Mark Matthews
- Landen Williams-Callis
- David Gabriel Georges
- Brock Williams
- David Jacobs
- Anthony Sweeney
- Oluwasemilore Olubobola
- Donivan Moore
- Kaden Henderson
- Kenton Dopson
- Elijah Hutcheson
The recruiting footprint for the Gamecocks continues to grow and expand nationally while keeping a firm grip on in-state talent. With the Class of 2027 board beginning to take shape, it is clear that Beamer and the coaching staff in Columbia are focused on building a solid foundation of elite talent.