The South Carolina Gamecocks are trying to land a unique recruiting prospect for their class of 2027 recruiting class. In recent days, the Gamecocks have been in the thick of a recruiting battle for Irish rugby star Neff Giwa. Giwa, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 300 pounds, is reportedly ready to make a decision over the weekend.
On Friday, recruiting reporter Hayes Fawcett reported that Giwa has set a decision date for Sunday, March 29. Giwa took an unofficial visit to South Carolina and Miami in recent days. Per Fawcett, he is deciding between the Gamecocks, Canes, North Carolina and Tennessee.
NEWS: Class of 2027 OT Neff Giwa is set to Commit on Sunday, @BCollierPPI tells @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 27, 2026
The 6’8 300 OT from Ireland is a rugby-player-turned OT with 37-inch arms and runs a 4.88 40https://t.co/47LvHMIrdJ pic.twitter.com/uqP1xs6ZaW
According to 247Sports, he also holds offers from SMU and James Madison. Collier visited South Carolina this earlier this week:
Meet the Nigerian Freak show @NeffGiwa While all of these Tackles at the combine have these “short” 33 inch arms here you go a kid with 37 inch arms that’s 6’7.5 300lbs with feet like a skill player and tough like a fight!
— Brandon Collier (@BCollierPPI) March 24, 2026
Great day at @GamecockFB 👀 @PPIRecruits pic.twitter.com/EQFfnRtG8u
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic recently reported that that South Carolina was hopeful that Giwa would cancel his visit to Miami after the Gamecocks officially offered him, but he visited with the Canes anyway:
South Carolina wanted to give Neff Giwa a huge NIL deal so he’d commit yesterday and cancel his Miami visit. But since Mario Cristobal was the towering OT prospect from Ireland’s first offer, Giwa still wanted to take the trip to UM. He is visiting the Canes right now. https://t.co/d680plXuoq
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) March 24, 2026
Landing Giwa would be a huge get for South Carolina's 2027 class. The Gamecocks hold just three verbal commitments, with one commit, Aamaury Fountain, is reportedly being targeted by Georgia as a flip.
Although Giwa has not played a down of college football, and is not currently rated by 247Sports' Composite, he could potentially try and follow in the footsteps of Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata. Mailata was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and was named a starter ahead of Philadelphia's 2021 season. He was a starter when the Eagles won the Super Bowl just last season. But Giwa obviously has a long way to go, and there's no telling what his college career will hold.
For Shane Beamer and company, beating out Miami and Bill Belichick wouldn't be too shabby, either.