Names to Know and Where South Carolina Stands in the Updated Top 100 Rankings for the 2025 Recruiting Class

As the calendar inches closer to the summer official visit window and recruiting boards across the country continue to take shape, the South Carolina Gamecocks find themselves strategically positioned in pursuit of several high-caliber prospects. The updated Top 100 rankings for the 2025 recruiting class, released by major recruiting services, have stirred up interest in where things stand for Shane Beamer and his staff as they attempt to reel in one of the best classes in recent memory.

After a 2024 cycle that showed flashes of recruiting brilliance and momentum, the 2025 cycle has become increasingly critical for South Carolina to take the next step in the SEC. The new rankings, often a barometer for national prestige and potential future impact, highlight both committed and uncommitted targets who have drawn serious attention from the Gamecocks. These rankings provide an updated glimpse into the players South Carolina has prioritized and where the program currently stands with them as the summer months approach.

The 2025 cycle, perhaps more than most in recent years, is loaded with talent across key positions that align with South Carolina’s roster needs. That starts with the trenches—both offensive and defensive line—where the Gamecocks have invested heavily. Several top targets at those positions cracked the Top 100, and South Carolina is either already in contention or laying the groundwork to make serious moves.

At defensive line, the name that continues to stand out is Elijah Griffin, the No. 1 defensive lineman in the class and a consensus top-three national prospect. Griffin, out of Savannah (Ga.) Christian Prep, has been the subject of interest from every major powerhouse, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, and Miami. Yet South Carolina has remained in the picture. Defensive line coach Travian Robertson has made Griffin a top priority, and the Gamecocks’ push is seen as sincere, even if they’re a long shot. The key here is showing progress and staying close enough to be considered should Griffin take official visits to Columbia.

On the offensive side, South Carolina has targeted Micah DeBose, a massive offensive tackle from Alabama who also cracked the updated Top 100. While LSU and Alabama are currently viewed as favorites, South Carolina has hosted DeBose and is pushing for an official visit. This is one of those long-play recruitments that could turn if South Carolina puts together a strong season and maintains consistent communication.

Perhaps more realistic for the Gamecocks is four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery, who has made it clear that South Carolina remains one of the schools he is seriously considering. Ranked within the updated Top 100, Montgomery is a pure passer with touch, arm strength, and decision-making that has drawn comparisons to recent first-round picks. The Gamecocks have been recruiting him for well over a year and remain in the top group alongside Florida, Penn State, and Michigan. His recruitment could define the class—landing a top-100 quarterback can help attract wide receivers and skill talent that complement the offense Marcus Satterfield wants to build.

At wide receiver, the Gamecocks continue to chase several top-tier targets, including Caleb Cunningham, a freakishly athletic pass-catcher out of Mississippi. Cunningham is ranked in the top 50 nationally and has elite SEC offers. While South Carolina isn’t currently seen as the leader, they are working to get him on campus again and potentially secure an official visit. He’s the kind of game-changer who could elevate the class on his own. Meanwhile, more attainable targets like Dallas Wilson, a Florida native who has quietly maintained contact with South Carolina, could be more realistic options, even if they currently sit outside the Top 100.

One of the biggest headlines from South Carolina’s perspective is the presence of committed cornerback Shamari Earls, a recent pledge out of Virginia. Earls was elevated in the latest rankings and now finds himself inside the Top 100. His commitment was a massive win for the Gamecocks, especially because it came despite overtures from Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Penn State. At 6-foot-2 with long arms and excellent recovery speed, Earls has the tools to develop into a shutdown corner in the SEC. His rise up the rankings only validates South Carolina’s early identification and aggressive pursuit. Holding on to him through signing day will be critical, and other schools haven’t given up yet.

In addition to Earls, South Carolina is heavily involved with several top defensive backs, including four-star safety Trey McNutt. Ranked comfortably inside the Top 100, McNutt is being courted by Ohio State, Michigan, and Tennessee, but South Carolina has quietly positioned itself as a serious contender. McNutt has family ties to the South, and if the Gamecocks can land an official visit, they’ll be in the mix. His combination of physicality and range could be an ideal fit for the system defensive coordinator Clayton White runs.

Linebacker remains a position of need, and the Gamecocks are trending with Jonah Williams, a top-75 recruit out of Georgia. Williams, who has visited Columbia multiple times, is a versatile second-level defender who could slide into multiple roles depending on the scheme. He’s a high IQ player and someone the staff believes can be a program leader. South Carolina appears to be in a battle with Auburn and Tennessee here, but their early relationship with Williams may prove valuable in the long run.

Running back has also emerged as a position where the Gamecocks are aggressively recruiting top 100 talent. One name that continues to surface is Harlem Berry, a dynamic back with acceleration and vision who has exploded on the recruiting scene. While LSU and Texas have long been considered front-runners, Berry has not ruled out programs like South Carolina, who are pitching early playing time and a chance to be a feature back. The odds are long, but it’s another case where consistency and building relationships matter.

In the trenches on the defensive side, another player to watch is Amaree Williams, a hybrid edge rusher out of Florida who has climbed into the Top 100 with a dominant junior season. South Carolina has prioritized edge rushers in the last few cycles, and Williams fits the mold of an explosive, bendy pass rusher that can impact games right away. He’s high on Florida’s board and will be tough to pull from the Sunshine State, but the Gamecocks are in contact regularly and could be a visit away from making it interesting.

There’s also a strong in-state presence within the Top 100 that South Carolina must navigate carefully. Although many of the Palmetto State’s top prospects are leaning toward national powers, keeping talent home remains a key element of Beamer’s recruiting philosophy. One of the biggest in-state names, offensive lineman David Sanders Jr., is considered a long shot, with Georgia, Clemson, and Alabama leading the charge. But Sanders has kept dialogue open, and if South Carolina can get him on campus again, the staff will make their pitch about being the anchor of a new era in Columbia.

The state of North Carolina is another critical battleground, with multiple top 100 recruits within reachable driving distance of campus. Defensive back Bryce West, athlete Kamar Archie, and tight end Ethan Barbour are all targets South Carolina has kept tabs on. Barbour, in particular, has emerged as a legitimate possibility after naming the Gamecocks in his early top group. His combination of blocking and pass-catching could make him an SEC mismatch nightmare, and the opportunity to play early has piqued his interest.

When reviewing the updated rankings, one trend stands out: South Carolina is not only targeting Top 100 talent—they’re increasingly landing in the mix for multiple players who can reshape the trajectory of the program. While Georgia and Alabama may still dominate the upper echelon of the SEC recruiting world, South Carolina has proven they can punch above their weight when the pitch is right and the relationships are strong.

The 2025 cycle offers a golden opportunity. With names like Shamari Earls already committed, and others like Ryan Montgomery, Jonah Williams, and Trey McNutt still within reach, the foundation is being laid for a class that could finish in the top 15 nationally. To make that leap, the Gamecocks must finish strong in the summer visit season, close on their top targets, and hold off late pushes from bluebloods looking to flip commitments.

In the world of college football recruiting, momentum is everything. The updated Top 100 rankings show South Carolina is not just participating—they’re competing. Whether it’s maintaining the commitment of rising stars or breaking through with long-shot five-stars, the names to know are clear. Now the task is closing the deal, building the relationships, and translating recruiting success into wins on the field.