South Carolina Gamecocks 2025 Football Commitments Nationally Ranked as Recruiting Dead Period Pauses Critical Summer Momentum

The South Carolina Gamecocks football program enters the NCAA-mandated summer recruiting dead period with plenty to be optimistic about—and even more to work toward. As the contact restrictions go into effect, head coach Shane Beamer and his staff find themselves reflecting on a class that has made noise both regionally and nationally, while understanding that the race to National Signing Day remains far from over.

For context, the NCAA recruiting calendar enforces several “dead periods” throughout the year, including this crucial summer stretch that runs from late June through mid-July. During this window, in-person contact between college coaches and prospective recruits is prohibited. While phone calls, texts, and social media interactions are still permitted, official visits, campus tours, and face-to-face meetings come to a complete halt.

The timing of this dead period is significant. It follows an intense June stretch of official visits, camps, and commitments—a critical window for programs to build momentum heading into fall. South Carolina capitalized on that opportunity, reeling in several key pledges while solidifying their standing with top uncommitted targets. Now, as the recruiting trail briefly cools, the rankings provide a snapshot of where the Gamecocks stand.

According to the latest composite rankings from major recruiting outlets like 247Sports, On3, Rivals, and ESPN, South Carolina’s 2025 class currently sits firmly inside the top 25 nationally. The Gamecocks hold commitments from a balanced group of prospects, blending blue-chip upside with regional depth, as they continue their steady climb under Beamer’s leadership.

As of the dead period’s onset, South Carolina’s 2025 commitment list includes:

1. Jahkeem Stewart – Defensive Lineman – New Orleans, Louisiana
Arguably the crown jewel of the class thus far, Stewart is a consensus five-star defensive lineman ranked among the top five overall prospects in the nation. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing around 275 pounds, Stewart possesses the rare blend of size, athleticism, and technical polish that college coaches covet. His commitment sent shockwaves through SEC circles, signaling South Carolina’s growing national reach on the recruiting trail.

2. Shamari Earls – Cornerback – Chester, Virginia
A four-star defensive back, Earls brings versatility and physicality to the Gamecocks’ secondary. Ranked as one of the top 15 cornerbacks nationally, his commitment fills a crucial need for South Carolina’s defense, especially as the program continues to compete against pass-heavy offenses across the SEC.

3. Blake Woodby – Cornerback – Baltimore, Maryland
Another blue-chip addition to the defensive backfield, Woodby gives South Carolina a second top-tier cornerback in this cycle. Rated among the nation’s top 150 overall prospects, Woodby’s commitment bolsters the Gamecocks’ ability to match up with elite receivers, while also enhancing depth in a critical area of the roster.

4. Malik Clark – Linebacker – Rock Hill, South Carolina
Clark represents a classic in-state win for the Gamecocks. A four-star prospect from football-rich Rock Hill, his commitment highlights Beamer’s focus on securing South Carolina’s homegrown talent. Ranked as one of the top 20 linebackers in the class, Clark projects as a versatile defender capable of playing multiple roles.

5. Josh Smith – Offensive Lineman – Fayetteville, Georgia
A massive presence on the offensive front, Smith is a three-star lineman with significant upside. While not yet among the national blue-chip ranks, his size, athletic ability, and development potential have excited the Gamecocks’ coaching staff. As South Carolina looks to solidify its offensive line depth, Smith’s commitment is viewed as an essential building block.

6. Brayden Lee – Defensive Back – Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Lee is another promising defensive back from the Mid-Atlantic region, an area that Beamer and his staff have aggressively targeted. Rated as a high three-star with the tools to develop into a multi-year contributor, Lee enhances the depth and competition within South Carolina’s secondary.

7. Matthew Outten – Wide Receiver – Chesapeake, Virginia
Outten adds speed and playmaking ability to South Carolina’s wide receiver room. The three-star pass catcher is regarded as a high-upside athlete with the potential to thrive in the Gamecocks’ evolving offensive scheme. His commitment underscores South Carolina’s emphasis on adding dynamic weapons to the perimeter.

8. Antonio Coleman – Defensive Lineman – Saraland, Alabama
Coleman provides additional firepower along the defensive front. A three-star lineman with a high motor and SEC-ready frame, Coleman represents another key addition to the Gamecocks’ defensive trenches, an area the staff has prioritized to compete against the conference’s elite.

Collectively, this group has propelled South Carolina into the top 25 of the national team rankings across major recruiting services. Depending on the outlet, the Gamecocks currently sit between No. 17 and No. 23 nationally, a position that reflects both progress and the work that remains.

South Carolina’s class is particularly noteworthy for its defensive focus. With blue-chip talents like Stewart, Earls, and Woodby leading the way, the Gamecocks have built the foundation for a potentially elite defensive unit in future seasons. That emphasis aligns with Beamer’s broader vision of fielding a fast, aggressive, and disruptive defense capable of contending in the ever-competitive SEC.

Equally important is the geographic diversity of the class. South Carolina has successfully recruited beyond its borders, landing commitments from Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia. This broader reach highlights the staff’s expanding network and national credibility, particularly in talent-rich regions outside the Carolinas.

Still, the dead period presents both a pause and a challenge. While in-person activities grind to a halt, recruiting battles continue behind the scenes. Other programs will use this period to pitch uncommitted prospects virtually, attempt to flip current pledges, and build momentum heading into the fall. For South Carolina, maintaining relationships and reinforcing commitments will be critical.

One area to monitor is the ongoing pursuit of offensive playmakers. While the Gamecocks have addressed needs along the defensive line and in the secondary, adding top-tier talent at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver remains a priority. With several high-profile targets still on the board, South Carolina’s class ranking could rise significantly with a few strategic additions.

Notably, the Gamecocks remain in the mix for multiple elite offensive prospects, including:

• Travis Smith, a four-star quarterback from Georgia, considered one of the nation’s most dynamic dual-threat passers.

• Elijah Thompson, a four-star wide receiver from Florida with blazing speed and SEC-caliber production.

• Devin McBride, a four-star running back from North Carolina regarded as one of the region’s top backfield talents.

Landing even one of these prospects could provide a major boost to South Carolina’s class, both in terms of rankings and roster construction. The dead period provides a chance to regroup, refine strategies, and position the program for a strong finish.

Shane Beamer’s third full cycle at the helm reflects the steady progress South Carolina fans hoped for when he took over. While the Gamecocks are still chasing the SEC’s traditional recruiting powerhouses, the current class demonstrates tangible growth, particularly with blue-chip defensive talent. The national perception of South Carolina as an ascending program is increasingly backed by results on the recruiting trail.

As the summer dead period unfolds, South Carolina’s staff will shift focus to relationship maintenance, virtual communication, and strategic preparation for the next wave of in-person recruiting. With a solid foundation already in place, the Gamecocks aim to use this brief pause not as a setback, but as a springboard toward a strong finish for the 2025 class.

The next several months will be crucial. When the dead period lifts, South Carolina faces a renewed push to close with key targets, fend off poaching attempts, and further climb the national rankings. The ultimate goal remains clear: stack classes that elevate the program’s competitive ceiling and cement its place among the SEC’s elite.

For now, with the dead period in effect, South Carolina’s commitments stand as a testament to progress—a strong foundation laid, with the promise of more to come.