Shane Beamer and South Carolina are about to kick off the 2025 season, but the 2026 recruiting season is in full swing. Carolina picked up a massive commitment recently, but still has only 15 commits in its class. This group is already ranked 19th nationally by 247sports, but it could pick up some late steam. Here’s the most recent commitments and some potential targets to watch.
South Carolina’s Most Recent 2026 Commitments
Darius Gray, OL
Gray committed on August 22 and immediately became the top recruit in the 2026 class. The 6’3″, 285-pound prospect from Virginia is a five-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 16 player in the nation, as well as the nation’s best interior offensive line prospect. Gray took official visits to Penn State, Ohio State, LSU, and South Carolina over the summer, with Carolina getting the last visit before he picked the Gamecocks.
Amari Thomas, RB
A 5’10” running back from Florida, Thomas is a three-star recruit per 247sports, which didn’t rank him among its top players. Thomas had committed to Florida State, but decommitted in July after officially visiting that school in June. He made an announcement for the Gamecocks on August 8. He’s the only running back in the class so far for the Gamecocks.
Kosci Barnes, CB
A 6’2″ cornerback from North Carolina, Barnes is another three-star recruit who doesn’t have a national ranking from 247sports. He’s a lanky athlete who took official visits to Miami, Mississippi State, Louisville, and Kentucky before deciding on the Gamecocks. He announced his commitment on July 26 and is one of three pure cornerbacks on the commitment list so far for Carolina.
Landon Duckworth, QB
A 6’3″ QB prospect from Alabama, Duckworth is one of the biggest names in Carolina’s class so far. 247sports ranks him as a four-star recruit and the No. 51 overall player in the nation, as well as the sixth-best QB prospect in the nation. Duckworth is a dual-threat player who narrowed his recruitment to Carolina and Auburn. He took official visits to both schools, but announced his USC commitment on July 18.
Triston Lewis, S
A three-star in-state prospect, at over 6’3″ and 200 pounds, Lewis projects as an outstanding collegiate safety prospect. He’s an outstanding baseball prospect and hasn’t been scouted very thoroughly for football. At the time South Carolina offered him a scholarship, only Gardner-Webb had previously offered. If he sticks to football and puts on some strength, Lewis could be an under-the-radar standout for Carolina.
South Carolina Targets
Ben Boulware, DL
A 6’5″ defensive lineman, Boulware is a three-star prospect from North Carolina. Boulware has officially visited South Carolina, but also visited Georgia, Southern Cal, and Michigan. He’s not a top-ranked prospect, but has obviously drawn enough interest to show his legitimate status as an up-and-coming prospect.
Messiah Mickens, RB
A four-star running back prospect from Pennsylvania, South Carolina was involved in Mickens’s recruitment, but he has committed to Penn State. Mickens actually committed back in August 2023, but he has continued to take visits. He took an unofficial visit to South Carolina in November 2024, but took official visits to Notre Dame and Penn State. If Mickens’ recruitment reopens, Carolina could be a factor.
Brody Smith, OL
A three-star recruit from Tennessee, Carolina was involved on the 6’5″ Smith early in the process, but has seemingly faded. Smith has taken official visits to Purdue, Tennessee, and North Carolina State. He’ll be a player to watch and South Carolina could resurface in his recruitment.
Read More:
Alabama Football Recruiting Update
Michigan 2026 Recruiting Class
Top 2026 College Football Recruiting Classes
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