The South Carolina Gamecocks are in the heart of spring football, holding numerous practices and workouts over the next several weeks.
But the Gamecocks coaching staff is also always recruiting and on Wednesday, South Carolina offered the son of former NFL cornerback Champ Bailey, Brayden Bailey. Champ's son is a class of 2028 prospect, and currently is not ranked by 247Sports' Composite.
He plays high school at Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Atlanta, Ga. He currently holds FBS offers from the likes of Colorado and Georgia Tech, as well as ones from Florida Atlantic, Georgia State and Southern Miss. Bailey was seen on-hand for South Carolina's spring practice on Wednesday:
Day 4 of spring practice at South Carolina. Among the folks watching this morning in Columbia: Champ Bailey, who’s in town with his son, 2028 ATH Brayden Bailey.
— Hale McGranahan (@HaleMcGranahan) March 18, 2026
That’s Nyck Harbor saying hello to them at the end of the video… pic.twitter.com/c1NrvBUDT3
He confirmed South Carolina's offer later on Wednesday afternoon:
After a great conversation with @togray14 and @drebly_32 I’m blessed to receive an offer from the University of South Carolina‼️#gamecocks @KwameAgyeiMinta @CoachClaytonW @HIESFootball @champbailey @DbCoachJulian @ChadSimmons_ @TomLoy247 @TheBigSpur247 pic.twitter.com/p0w8vN1kKW
— Brayden Bailey (@Bray_Bailey24) March 18, 2026
Bailey's father, Champ, played 15 seasons in the NFL from 1999-2013, mostly with the Denver Broncos.
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He played high school football at Charlton County in Folkston, Georgia, and played three seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs frm 1996-1998. He was drafted No. 7 overall by Washington in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft.
He spent the first five seasons of his career with Washington before going to the Broncos. Over his 10 seasons with the Broncos, he accounted for 599 total tackles and 34 interceptions. He was a first-team All-Pro corner three straight seasons from 2004-2006, and led the league with 10 interceptions in 2006. He played in one Super Bowl during his career, in 2014 when the Broncos lost to the Seahawks 43-8.
He retired from football in 2014, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. During his215 career games in Washington and Denver, he started in all but three games, and his 12 Pro Bowl selections are the most of any defensive back in the league.
Obviously it's early in Bailey's son, Brayden's recruiting process. But getting his first SEC offer has to feel good.