2024 On3 top-40 LB Wendell Gregory commits to South Carolina: 'It's gonna be a powerhouse'

Marietta (Ga.) Walton four-star linebacker Wendell Gregory received his first offer from South Carolina. The Gamecocks made sure to recruit him hard in the following months.

South Carolina made his top two schools, alongside Tennessee. On Friday, Gregory — who is from Greenville, S.C. — decided to return home for his college football career and commit to head coach Shane Beamer and his staff.

“This ’24 class is gonna be insane,” Gregory told On3. “You’ve seen the kids that have already committed this week. Those are my guys right there too. I know their families. They know my family. This ’24 class is gonna be crazy, so I just want to build onto it.”

Over the last five days, the Gamecocks have landed pledges from Gregory, Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School four-star tight end Michael Smith and Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland four-star offensive tackle Kam Pringle, the top player in South Carolina. Fiskdale (Mass.) The Loomis Chaffee School four-star quarterback Dante Reno joins the other three players in the Gamecocks’ 2024 recruiting class.

Gregory likes that South Carolina’s coaches want him to play off the edge and in space. The 6-foot-4, 209-pound defender knew he wanted to play for Beamer after watching bowl practice in December.

“I’m watching all the guys practice, I’m watching them do everything, I’m in meetings with them, watching film with them,” said Gregory, the No. 39 overall prospect and No. 4 linebacker in the 2024 On300. “It was maybe my third time going up there. It was like, ‘Yeah, this is the place where I want to be for the next three-to-four years.'”

Gregory believes in Shane Beamer, future of South Carolina

According to Gregory, part of the reason South Carolina finished “No. 1” was because of how hard they recruited him. Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Clayton White communicated often with Gregory and his recruiting coach at Walton. Cason Henry, a freshman offensive tackle with the Gamecocks who previously played at Walton, also pitched him on the program.

Another reason for his decision was Beamer. On the weekend of Jan. 14, Gregory went into his office with his mom and brother and committed. The four-star said South Carolina’s head man was “so stoked” by the news.

“He’s just a great guy,” Gregory said. “He talked to my family, talked to our coaches, came up here. Him and coach White and the new OC (Dowell Loggains) came up here. They took their time out of their day to come up here and watch me work out. If I really had to put a pinpoint on him, it would be as like a second dad, a real father figure.”

Gregory believes South Carolina has “the whole nine yards.” He called the staff “welcoming” and shared that there is “nothing but love” in Columbia. Additionally, the Georgia native likes how the Gamecocks are on the rise.

Beamer led South Carolina to an 8-5 record in 2022 that included upset wins over Clemson and Tennessee. Gregory is ready to help the Gamecocks reach the next level and become a “top-10 program.”

“It’s gonna be a powerhouse,” Gregory said. “I’ll tell you that now.”