South Carolina eyeing flip of Tennessee 4-star WR commit Braylon Staley

Tennessee has built an elite recruiting class in the 2024 cycle. The Volunteers currently check in at No. 8 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking and have eight commits from top-200 prospects in the On3 Industry Ranking.

One of those prized pledges is Aiken (S.C.) Strom Thurmond four-star wide receiver Braylon Staley. Tennessee acquired the 6-foot, 180-pounder’s pledge on June 30, as he chose the Vols over Clemson, North Carolina and Miami. Now, the in-state South Carolina Gamecocks are finally getting involved in his recruitment.

Shane Beamer and Co. offered at the beginning of October, and though the Gamecocks recently lost to Tennessee, they may have a shot at pulling off a flip and keeping the wideout in the Palmetto State. On the latest edition of The Inside Scoop, Volquest’s Matt Ray and GamecockCentral’s Wes Mitchell broke down the latest on Staley and the status of his commitment.

“It’s very weird timing when you look at it. You offer a few days after you get beat by Tennessee in Neyland Stadium,” Ray said. “In talking to Braylon Staley, it seems like they’re very comfortable in their commitment to Tennessee. Kelsey Pope — Tennessee WRs coach — was out on the road last week to see Staley.”

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While South Carolina is trying to get in the mix, Staley is set to return to Rocky Top this weekend as Tennessee hosts Texas A&M. Until the Gamecocks can latch onto a visit of their own, landing the flip may prove to be too difficult.

“Staley will return to Knoxville this weekend. Right know I feel pretty confident with where Braylon Staley is with his commitment to Tennessee,” Ray said. “If he does end up making a trip to South Carolina, then I think obviously there’s something to worry about, but right now, no plans for that as things stand.”

Gamecocks have the appeal of staying home for Staley

The angle that could benefit South Carolina, however, is the classic home factor. Sure, the Gamecocks are jumping in Staley’s recruitment late and haven’t put in the kind of time that Tennessee has, but the heart wants what the heart wants. If Staley wants to keep things close to home, the door is now open to head to Columbia instead of Knoxville.

“I think Tennessee’s going to make it hard on you here, if you’re South Carolina,” Mitchell told On3’s Josh Newberg. “But, I think there’s enough traction that we’re tracking this one as well. The big thing here, from what i’ve heard, is that there’s at least some curiosity from (Staley) in South Carolina and that possibility to stay closer to home … staying closer to home is something that could matter in the end.”

Staley is the No. 137 overall prospect, No. 24 WR and No. 3 player in South Carolina in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks Staley higher than other recruiting services, as he checks in as the No. 97 recruit and No. 18 wideout.

If he were to flip to South Carolina, he would become the Gamecocks’ fifth highest-ranked pledge in a class that currently ranks No. 19 in the nation, but still only No. 10 in the SEC. South Carolina’s class currently has just 15 commits.