South Carolina Football Class Continues Building Momentum as Dead Period Begins With Promising National Ranking and Target Commit List
As the college football recruiting calendar transitions into the mandated NCAA dead period, South Carolina football finds itself in a position of strength and forward momentum. The Gamecocks, under the leadership of head coach Shane Beamer, have methodically built a class that’s gaining attention not only in the SEC but also on a national level. While the Gamecocks may not be sitting atop the rankings like perennial powerhouses such as Georgia or Alabama, their 2025 recruiting haul has shown signs of being Beamer’s most complete and strategically assembled class to date.
As of the start of the summer dead period, South Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class ranks among the top 20 nationally, according to several major recruiting services including 247Sports and Rivals. With a current total of 15 commits, the Gamecocks are clearly working with purpose and precision, securing talent from both inside the state and beyond while targeting key positions of need.
This dead period—which prohibits in-person contact between coaches and recruits—marks a crucial evaluation point for South Carolina’s staff. It’s a time to reassess strategy, reengage virtually, and solidify relationships with verbal commits while pressing harder for undecided targets. For a program still fighting for respect in the cutthroat SEC East, every period of the recruiting calendar matters—and Beamer’s staff has proven capable of making waves during these intervals.
One of the key aspects that define this year’s South Carolina class is balance. Unlike in past cycles where the Gamecocks may have been disproportionately heavy at a certain position or reliant on late flips, the 2025 group shows a calculated approach. From offensive line to skill positions to the defensive backfield, South Carolina is assembling a class built to develop depth and create competition across the board.
Headlining the current commit list is four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth from Alabama, a dual-threat signal caller with a strong arm, quick feet, and sky-high potential. Duckworth has been one of the class’s vocal leaders on social media, actively recruiting fellow prospects and showing his commitment to building something special in Columbia. His presence alone gives the Gamecocks an anchor for the offensive future—and is a reason fans have a lot to be excited about.
In the trenches, South Carolina has made significant progress, which will no doubt please fans who understand that building an SEC-caliber roster starts up front. Four-star offensive lineman Peyton Lewis from North Carolina headlines the efforts in the offensive line room, and the staff has done well to pair him with multiple three-star interior linemen who fit the physical profile and developmental ceiling Beamer’s staff prefers.
On the defensive side of the ball, South Carolina’s staff has placed a heavy emphasis on athleticism and versatility. Defensive end commitment Jordan Miles, another four-star, has the look of a future starter in the SEC. Long, explosive, and still raw, he fits the mold of recent successful pass rushers to come through Columbia. In the secondary, the Gamecocks have locked down some underrated talent, including safety Jaylen Harris out of Georgia, whose film shows a hitter’s mentality and strong instincts in coverage.
What stands out most is the recruiting map that this staff is drawing. While keeping in-state talent home is always important, and the Gamecocks have secured multiple Palmetto State commits, it’s clear that Beamer’s reach extends beyond South Carolina’s borders. The 2025 class includes players from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and even Maryland. That multi-state strategy helps diversify the talent base and also shows that the Gamecocks are recruiting nationally, not just regionally.
The timing of the dead period couldn’t be more critical. With official visits concluded for now and no in-person contact allowed, the next few weeks will test the strength of verbal commitments and the pull of other programs still pursuing Gamecock targets. This is often when the elite recruiters separate themselves from the pack—by keeping players locked in and adding more names to the board through virtual efforts and relationship-building.
South Carolina’s recruiting staff, led by Director of Player Personnel Taylor Edwards, has been aggressive on social media and digital outreach. They’ve leaned into creating compelling graphics, storytelling about the program’s future, and sharing authentic glimpses into life at South Carolina. That transparency and creativity has helped sway recruits who may have otherwise leaned elsewhere. And with NIL continuing to shape how programs operate in the recruiting space, the Gamecocks have shown they’re adapting quickly and effectively.
One of the big question marks entering the dead period revolves around the Gamecocks’ ability to close on a few major targets. Chief among them is four-star linebacker Justin Abrams, who is expected to commit later this summer. South Carolina has been in his top three for months, and with official visits behind him, they’ve positioned themselves well. Also on the board is elite wide receiver DeAndre Fuller, a speedster from Georgia who has taken a strong interest in the Gamecocks’ offensive plans under coordinator Dowell Loggains.
Loggains, who enters his second season in Columbia, is seen as a central figure in recruiting offensive talent. Recruits and their families have praised his NFL experience, player-first approach, and ability to break down the playbook in relatable ways. His impact has already been felt in the quarterback and receiver recruiting lanes, and if South Carolina can land Fuller or another blue-chip receiver, it could be a game-changer for the offensive class.
Equally important is the development of South Carolina’s relationships with committed players’ families. The staff has emphasized a family atmosphere—something echoed repeatedly by recruits in interviews. They talk about how welcomed they feel during visits, how consistent the communication is from coaches, and how clearly they understand their role in the program’s future. That sort of cultural buy-in isn’t built overnight, but it’s a strength of Beamer’s program and a major factor in holding the class together during periods like this.
This class also stands to benefit from early playing time projections. With several position groups thin due to graduation and transfer portal attrition, recruits are being told honestly that they’ll have a chance to compete early. For a group that seems particularly motivated and competitive, that promise holds value. It’s not just about joining the SEC grind—it’s about playing meaningful snaps early in careers, and that has helped South Carolina separate itself from other programs pitching “development-first” paths.
Now, as the program enters this brief but important pause in recruiting, attention turns to two parallel efforts: securing the current commits and preparing to strike when the dead period ends. Coaches will evaluate film, monitor summer workout results, and plan fall visit weekends. The staff will continue to work the phones, build graphics, engage with families, and set the stage for an impactful end to the summer.
Historically, South Carolina has been a program that catches fire in July and August as high school players wrap up their summer visits and start to focus on senior seasons. If that trend continues—and the current trajectory holds—the 2025 class could end up among the best in the modern era of Gamecock football. The dead period doesn’t mean things slow down; it means they shift into a different kind of recruiting hustle.
As the SEC landscape continues to evolve—with Texas and Oklahoma entering the fold and new media deals shifting power dynamics—programs like South Carolina must capitalize on windows like this. They may not yet have the on-field results to dominate headlines, but the foundation is being laid through recruiting, and that’s where long-term change begins.
Shane Beamer and his staff have made it clear: they’re not just looking to compete, they’re building to win. And if the current class is any indication, the rest of the conference would be wise not to sleep on what’s happening in Columbia. The dead period is just a pause in visits—not in momentum.
