ESPN ranks South Carolina's 'newcomer class' No. 11 in the country
With the winter transfer portal over, the spring window closed with most of those players now locked in with their new homes, and plenty of data gathered from spring practice, ESPN this week ranked its Top 25 “newcomer classes” for the upcoming 2025 season.
While there are multiple ways to rank a recruiting class — and each school will take its own unique approach to roster building — the point of this ranking is to list the groups of newcomers that will make the biggest impacts this season.
In this case, “newcomers” means high school recruits and transfer additions with the Gamecocks group ranking No. 11 overall.
Of the high school prospects in South Carolina’s class, ESPN spotlighted wide receivers Malik Clark, Brian Rowe, and Donovan Murph, and offensive lineman Shed Sarratt.
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Here’s what article authors Craig Haubert and Billy Tucker had to say about the Gamecocks:
The Gamecocks knew they needed to elevate their passing game for LaNorris Sellers after losing three of their top-five pass-catchers from 2024. They did it the traditional way, signing five four-star receivers from the high school ranks.
Clark and Murph are a pair of 6-foot-2 receivers who are prime candidates to emerge. Clark brings size, speed and the tools to step in right away. Murph didn’t enroll early, but the Under Armour All-American is a big target with excellent hands, body control and a knack for the big play. At 5-foot-11, Rowe is slightly built, but he’s explosive. On the offensive line, Sarratt, a high three-star prospect, impressed during spring practice and could work his way into the mix at guard.
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The Gamecocks added 17 incoming transfers this offseason, most of whom went through spring practice with the team.
The article focused on tight end Jordan Dingle, running back Rahsul Faison, defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, offensive lineman Boaz Stanley, cornerback Brandon Cisse, and linebackers Shawn Murphy and Justin Okoronkwo as potential impact players:
The Gamecocks also made targeted moves in the portal to fill holes with experience and upside. Dingle, coming from Kentucky, had a strong spring at tight end. His well-rounded skill set should make him a reliable option in both the run and pass game.
Up front, Stanley is providing quick returns and has seemingly already won the starting job at center. Both Brownlow-Dindy and Murphy were touted ESPN 300 prospects, with the former a five-star in the 2022 class, so each comes with talent to break out. Cisse is also coming off a strong spring.
For those curious, the article ranked Oregon, LSU, Auburn, Texas, and Texas Tech as the Top 5.
