South Carolina rises in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

South Carolina made a statement on the field during head coach Shane Beamer‘s second season. The Gamecocks are also rolling on the recruiting trail.

Dillon (S.C.) four-star offensive tackle Josiah Thompson committed to South Carolina on Friday, which elevated the Gamecocks’ 2024 recruiting class to No. 5 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. South Carolina’s group, which also ranks No. 4 in the SEC, climbed three spots from No. 8.

Following a pledge from the 6-foot-6.5, 275-pound recruit, the Gamecocks hold commitments from three top-100 recruits in Thompson, Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland four-star offensive tackle Kam Pringle and Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School four-star tight end Michael Smith. Additionally, Beamer and Co. have pledges from the top three players in South Carolina in Pringle, Thompson and Greenville (S.C.) four-star wide receiver Mazeo Bennett.

Marietta (Ga.) Walton four-star linebacker Wendell Gregory and Cheshire (Conn.) Cheshire Academy four-star quarterback Dante Reno are the Gamecocks’ other blue-chip commits. Meanwhile, South Carolina also landed Greenville (S.C.) three-star interior offensive lineman Blake Franks on March 31.

Thompson is the No. 53 overall prospect and No. 5 offensive tackle in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 2 player in South Carolina. 

On3 rates Thompson higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is the No. 19 overall prospect, No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 1 player in South Carolina. 

Thompson continues South Carolina’s recruiting momentum

Landing Thompson represents why South Carolina is a program to watch going forward on the recruiting trail. It is also the latest example of the Gamecocks’ overall upward trajectory.

On the heels of an 8-5 season highlighted by upset wins over Clemson and Tennessee, South Carolina reeled in the No. 16 class in the 2023 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Most notably, the Gamecocks notched a long-awaited commitment from Washington (D.C.) Archbishop Carroll five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor on National Signing Day.

“The minute that Nyck committed, I got a ton of 2024 kids that are texting my phone, excited about it as well and the statement we made when Nyck signed with us,” Beamer said on The Hard Count with J.D. Pickell in February.

South Carolina certainly is not done making headlines this cycle. The Gamecocks are involved in the recruitments of many talented prospects, including Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy five-star EDGE Dylan Stewart.