South Carolina National Signing Day roundup
As of this story being published, South Carolina has secured signatures from 16 class of 2024 commits. That list of 16 includes JUCO transfer Jerome Simmons, since he’s considered a recruit for the 2024 class. In addition, the Gamecocks have also landed seven signatures from commits via the transfer portal.
Below are video capsules on every Gamecock signee with updated measurements, stats, & highlights. Each video is accompanied by a story for each player in case you want to read more about them. For the transfer portal players who’ve signed, we’ve included their “commitment” videos underneath the 2024 class. The list is in order based on how South Carolina announced each signee. We’ll continue to update this list, in order, if any additional players sign their NLI.
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2024 Signees
QB – Dante Reno
The first commitment for South Carolina’s 2024 class, Reno made his pledge to be a Gamecock in July of 2022. Despite some other schools trying to get the Connecticut QB to flip, the 6-1, 200-pound quarterback remained loyal to Shane Beamer and South Carolina. An invitee to the Elite 11 Finals in June, Reno transferred to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut this past season. There, he ran the Air Raid offense and had the ability to set the protections, the reads, and just change plays at the line of scrimmage. While that might not seem like a big deal, not every high school quarterback is given the freedom to that. Something offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains would certainly like to eventually do with his next QB after the trust Spencer Rattler earned with him in just one season together. Reno will be an early enrollee next month.
OT – Kam Pringle
One of South Carolina’s biggest signees in years, and one who will be listed as the tallest in 2024, Pringle stands at 6-8, 340 pounds. Despite his big frame, he also played some defense and showed some quick feet and athleticism. As an offensive lineman, Pringle is explosive as a run blocker. A product of Woodland High School, Pringle was one of the first players in this 2024 class that Shane Beamer offered a scholarship to. That came just three months after Beamer arrived at USC. Originally the consensus No.1 rated offensive tackle for the class of 2024, as of today, he’s listed as the No.16 offensive tackle for his class. He’s also considered the consensus No.3 prospect from the state of South Carolina. Pringle is expected enroll into South Carolina next month.
WR – Mazeo Bennett
The 2023 4A Region 1 Player of the Year, the Gamecocks never gave up on flipping the Greenville, SC native despite at one point being committed to Tennessee. Signing today with South Carolina, the 6-0, 180-pound wide receiver has demonstrated advanced route running knowledge that you don’t often see from a player coming out of high school. There’s little things that he’s shown in his tape that shows off his high IQ as a wide out to go along with his speed and smooth hands. A consensus four-star recruit, Bennett is considered the No.3 overall prospect from the state of South Carolina, by On3 and the 35th wide receiver for his class. He signs with the Gamecocks over schools that also include Alabama and North Carolina.
OL – Blake Franks
Another product of the Palmetto State, Franks stands at 6-5, 325 pounds. A teammate of fellow Gamecock signee Mazeo Bennett at Greenville High School, Franks became the third in-state prospect to commit to South Carolina all the way back in March. He chooses the Gamecocks over schools including Clemson and Alabama. Considered the seventh overall prospect from the state of South Carolina, Franks demonstrated a lot of power at left tackle but he’s ranked as the 46th consensus IOL for his class. To go along with his power, Franks demonstrated quickness with his ability to pull and work to the second level. He’s expected to enroll next month into South Carolina.
DB – David Bucey
Originally listed as a linebacker, Bucey is expected to play defensive back for the Gamecocks. Considered the 121st ranked safety in the class of 2024 by On3, he was named the Georgia 3A Athlete of the Year in 2022 after racking up over 100 tackles, four sacks, and five interceptions. Bucey also shinned at wide receiver that year hauling in over 700 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. The point is, Bucey is a freakish athlete who also brings along some size standing at 6-1, 200 pounds. Like many others in this recruiting class, he’s expected to enroll into South Carolina in January.
EDGE – Wendell Gregory
Originally listed as a linebacker, On3 recognized Gregory as an EDGE over the summer. Considered the consensus No.15 EDGE for his class, the Gamecocks add a dynamic defensive player who has also excelled in track and field. His scouting report highlights his excellent closing speed and ability to move quickly from sideline to sideline. That’s evident when you turn Gregory’s tape on, but don’t let his speed fool you. He also brings plenty power and strength with his On3 scouting report saying, “high upside prospect who has every chance to become a top-tier NFL prospect.” Gregory signs with the Gamecocks over schools including Tennessee, Louisville, and Michigan.
TE – Michael Smith
A big body tight end, Smith signs with South Carolina listed at 6-4, 245 pounds. Considered the consensus No.10 tight in the nation, Shane Beamer and tight ends coach Jody Wright didn’t waste anytime with Smith. In fact, USC was the first to offer the Georgia native, which as we’ve said many times before with other signees, that loyalty from day one played a big role in this prospect choosing the Gamecocks. A versatile tight end who has flashed as a pass catcher, Smith has also demonstrated the ability to be a promising blocker. He chooses South Carolina over schools including Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas.
OT – Josiah Thompson
One of two five star signees for this year’s class for South Carolina, Thompson is considered the No.2 offensive tackle in the nation by On3. On3 also has him rated as the No.9 overall prospect for the class of 2024. Standing at just under 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, Thompson is a strong run blocker who continued to improve as a pass blocker this past season showing why his ceiling is extremely high. Ranked as the number No.1 from the state of South Carolina, the the Dillion High School product chooses the Gamecocks over offers from schools including Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida State.
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EDGE – Dylan Stewart
A 5-star EDGE from Washington D.C., Stewart is the third highest ranked signee in program history. Standing at 6-5, 250 pounds, he’s considered the No.12 overall prospect in the class of 2024 by On3 and the consensus 14th overall prospect. A freakish athlete who demonstrates a combination of strength and speed, he has a knack of wreaking havoc in the backfield. That was certainly on display as junior when he complied 16 sacks. Stewart chooses the Gamecocks over a long list of power five schools including Ohio State, Miami, and Georgia. He’s expected to enroll next month into South Carolina.
RB – Matthew Fuller
Another diamond in the rough that South Carolina identified before many other big name programs came knocking. Considered a four-star and the No.11th ranked RB by On3, Fuller rushed for over 3,600 yards these past two seasons including running for 1,873 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior. That also including rushing over 100 yards or more in nine of the 11 games he played in this season. A sppedster who also excels in track, he ran a 10.79 in the 100-meter dash this past spring and came in second at regionals. Fuller played at Wayne County High School for Jaybo Shaw, the brother of Gamecock great Connor Shaw.
P – Mason Love
It’s one thing to sign one of the nation’s best kickers, but it’s another when some unexpected changes occur with one of your stating specialist. Rated as the No.1 punter in the land by the Kohl’s Kicking Camp, which is considered the premier clinic for specialist in the country, Love has also shinned as a place kicker. Setting ten school records this past season including a 57-yard field goal, 16 field goals made in a season, 167 career points, and highest punt average in a career, Love will add some much welcomed competition. He’ll also have a chance to work side-by-side with punter Kai Kroeger. Love, who is expected to enroll into South Carolina next month, chooses the Gamecocks over schools including Cal, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Arkansas State.
LB – Fred Johnson
Perhaps one of the biggest diamonds in the rough in this year’s signing class for South Carolina, Johnson has skyrocketed in the rankings since verbally committing to the Gamecocks in mid-June. A once three star prospect, the 6-3, 225-pound linebacker has not only moved up to now being listed as a four-star but he’s also considered the consensus 21st linebacker for the class of 2024. During the summer, 247Sports bumped Johnson up to a four-star rating and the 9th overall linebacker in the nation. A spot where he remains after signing his national letter of intent today with the Gamecocks.
South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:
- South Carolina Target Watchlist
- South Carolina Portal Tracker
- On3 National Portal Tracker
- Get portal news notifications with the App
DL – Jerome Simmons
A week after announcing his commitment to South Carolina, the JUCO defensive lineman signed his National Letter of Intent today to officially become a Gamecock. Listed at 6-foot4, 333 pounds, in two seasons in the JUCO ranks, the Bamberg, SC native complied 50 tackles in 17 games. He also had 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and an interception. That’s right. The big fella had an interception in his final game of the season in 2023 and returned is 24 yards. So size and a little bit of speed for a guy that big. Simmons chooses the Gamecocks over a handful of offers including Georgia, Coastal Carolina, Charlotte, Louisiana, and Western Kentucky.
S – Kelvin Hunter
Another local product, the West Florence High star is a game changer both as a defensive back and on special teams. Ranked as the consensus No.22 safety for this year’s class, he demonstrated a tremendous knack on special teams for blocking kicks. With that talent, combined with that mindset, don’t be surprised to see Hunter competing for early playing time if he’s able to find success in what will be a talented safety room. Standing at just under 6-feet tall, he’s listed as the No.4 overall prospect from the Palmetto State by On3. The DB chooses the Gamecocks over schools including Virginia Tech, Michigan, Auburn, Kentucky and Coastal Carolina.
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ATH – Jalewis Solomon
Perseverance paid off for South Carolina after signing the consensus No.11 rated ATH for the class of 2024. Originally committed to Auburn, the Gamecocks never gave up on the Georgia native and were able to get him to flip less than a week after he de-committed from the Tigers in October. Listed at 6-0, 185 pounds, Solomon is expected to play defensive back for the Gamecocks. A position he shinned at in high school. This past season on defense, he recorded eight interceptions to go along with 26 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. A hard hitting DB, Solomon also has the natural ability to make plays whenever the ball is in the air. He chooses South Carolina over schools including Florida State, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, and Kentucky.
WR – Debron Gatling
The wide out verbally committed to Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks on Tuesday night before going public with his decision today on National Signing Day. Listed at 6-2, 185 pounds, he chooses South Carolina over schools including Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. A MaxPreps All-American as a freshman and sophomore, as a senior, he hauled in 84 receptions for 963 yards and 11 touchdowns. Gatling posted over 2,500 receiving yards in his final three years of high school with 31 receiving touchdowns during that span. The wide out was a originally committed to Texas A&M but de-committed earlier this month. With lack of experience looming over South Carolina’s wide receiver room, Gatling, along with other freshmen, should have an opportunity to earn some early playing time.
Transfer Portal Signees
RB – Jawarn Howell
A standout as a freshman this past season for former Gamecock assistant coach Buddy Pough and South Carolina State, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back comes to Columbia with three years of eligibility remaining. As a true freshman, Howell rushed for 809 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries. That includes his monster 283-yard rushing performance, to go along with three touchdowns, against Howard just last month. A powerful back on the ground, Howell also showed off his ability to make an impact as a pass catcher. He finished the year with ten catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
RB – Rahiem ‘Rocket’ Sanders
Standing at 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, Sanders was a monster in 2022 rushing for 1,443 yards and ten touchdowns. He also had 271 yards on 28 receptions and two scores. Injuries and a new offense kept Rocket from taking off the same way in 2023 but don’t let that fool you. There’s a reason why he’s considered the No.2 running back in the transfer portal according to On3.
EDGE – Kyle Kennard
The Georgia Tech transfer inked his NLI on Wednesday to play for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. Listed at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, he arrives in South Carolina with just one year of eligibility remaining but he’s also coming off an impressive 2023 season. This past year, Kennard finished with 54 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. He’s played in 36 games over the past three years and has started in 17 of those games.
RB – Oscar Adaway III
The North Texas transfer is considered the No. 15 running back in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry transfer portal rankings, Despite suffering an ACL injury at the start of fall camp in 2021, the 5-11, 219-pound back ranks fifth all-time in program history for the Mean Green with 1,935 career rushing yards. This past season he rushed for 738 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging six yards per carry. He also had 14 catches for 89 yards.
DT – DeAndre Jules
The at 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle played in all 12 regular games this past season for Pittsburgh. He also started in six of those games. Jules racked up 24 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, and a forced fumble in 2023. After redshirting in 2019, he’s played in a total of 37 collegiate games. In those four seasons, he has accumulated 37 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Listed as an EDGE prospect out of high school, Jules was ranked as a three-star prospect and as the 14th-best prospect in the state of Maryland for the class of 2019, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. This means he has one more of eligibility remaining, due to the 2020 COVID-19 season.
TE – Brady Hunt
The 6-foot-6, 249-pound tight end signed with the Gamecocks on Wednesday. A Ball State transfer, he dealt with an ankle injury this past season but shined as a redshirt freshman in 2022, where he received several First Team All American honors. During that season, he caught 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns that season were tied for the 12th-most among all tight ends in college football during the regular season. That production is why he was named to the Mackey Watch List in 2023, which is an award given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end.
WR – Jared Brown
Standing at 6-0, 190 pounds, Brown arrives in Columbia with two years of eligibility remaining. This past season, the Georgia native complied over 1,000 all-purpose yards with 58 catches for 740 receiving yards and four touchdowns, which ranked second best for the Chanticleers. He added 252 yards and a score on the ground.
As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he earned freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America. He hauled in 49 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns. The six TDs led all of Coastal Carolina receivers that year. In his career, he’s rushed for 439 yards on 35 carries and two touchdowns.
