A look at every Palmetto State native in South Carolina's 2025 recruiting class

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his staff have done well in recruiting. The Gamecocks have landed three top 20 classes in a row and have found success in the transfer portal, as well. Beamer and company have recruited well by balancing finding talent from outside of the state while landing almost every player they want from the Palmetto State.

In the last three cycles, South Carolina has brought in 23 in-state scholarship players from the high school ranks. Eight transfer portal additions during this stretch also hailed from the state and returned home via the portal.

The biggest group of in-state prospects arrived this offseason. The 2025 high school class saw 12 scholarship players from the Palmetto State sign with the Gamecocks. The transfer portal brought another South Carolina native to the program, as well. Several in-state walk-ons (perhaps most notably, speedy wide receiver Jackson Repp) will be Gamecocks, too.

Let’s take a look at all 13 in-state newcomers.

*All rankings will come from the On3 industry ranking—a weighted composite of the rankings from On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. All heights and weights are from South Carolina’s preliminary 2025 preseason roster on GamecocksOnline.

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WR Malik Clark
Overall: No. 88
In SC: 2
Among WR: 11

Malik Clark (Rock Hill High School) is a 6’2″, 185-pound wide receiver who can do a bit of everything. A consensus 4-star prospect, Clark flipped to the Gamecocks from Florida State this fall. Clark has the size and speed to fight for playing time at multiple receiver positions this fall. He posted verified 100-meter track times in the 10.5-range.

WR Donovan Murph
Overall: 181
In SC: 4
Among WR: 23

Following a reclassification from the class of 2026, Donovan Murph (Irmo High School) signed early and announced his commitment to the Gamecocks at the Under Armour All-American Game. Listed at 6’2″ and 190 pounds, Murph is a physical receiver who is far more advanced than most his age. He is tough and aggressive, two traits not found consistently in his position group.

EDGE Jaquavious Dodd
Overall: 196
In SC: 5
Among EDGE: 24

Jaquavious Dodd (Eastside High School) has elite potential. Coming in at 6’6″ and 240 pounds, he is a big-time athlete with long arms as a pass rusher. He likely will need a little development as he adds weights, but his future could be extremely bright. Despite his height, Dodd has good bend, flexibility, and athletic instincts as a rusher.

WR Jordon Gidron
Overall: 313
In SC: 7
Among WR: 45

A class of 2026 reclassification, Jordon Gidron (Ridge View High School) is another long and fast wideout. At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, the Columbia native is smooth and comfortable as an athlete. He’s also a hard worker and a fighter on the field. Gidron ran in the 10.6s in the 100-meter as a high school track athlete.

OL Shed Sarratt
Overall: 337
In SC: 8
Among IOL: 23

Shed Sarratt (Gaffney High School) could play any position on the offensive line but likely will be a guard for the Gamecocks. He’s got a wide frame and a strong base, and at 6’4″ and 310 pounds, he already has a great frame for an interior offensive lineman. Sarratt’s experience playing both tackle and guard at the high school level should provide him a leg up on other younger players who are changing positions.

S Jaquel Holman
Overall: 384
In SC: 9
Among ATH: 8

Ranked as a running back, linebacker, or athlete by the recruiting industry, Jaquel Holman (Blackville-Hilda High School) will start his South Carolina football career as a defensive back, likely at safety or nickel. Holman is 6’1″ and 205 pounds, a solid size for a young DB. His experience on both sides of the ball could give him a head start in the “football IQ” department.

TE Mike Tyler
Overall: 487
In SC: 12
Among TE: 26

Mike Tyler (Hammond School) flipped from LSU to South Carolina on Signing Day. The 6’4″, 220-pound pass-catcher has a high ceiling as an athletic receiving tight end. He snagged the game-winning touchdown in the state championship game and has some experience blocking, as well.

EDGE Anthony Addison
Overall: 512
In SC: 13
Among EDGE: 43

Coming from a long line of talented pass rushers, Anthony Addison (Sumter High School) is trading in his Sumter Gamecock gear for South Carolina Gamecock gear. Wielding an explosive first step, Addison could be a defensive end or an outside linebacker, pending his physical development. His listed size is 6’3″ and 220 pounds, and he appears set to begin his career with his hand in the dirt.

QB Cutter Woods
Overall: 598
In SC: 15
Among QB: 38

Cutter Woods (Westside High School) joins the Gamecocks from Clemson’s backyard in Anderson. Viewed by many as a pocket passer, Woods has more dual-threat ability than advertised. However, the 6’3″, 205-pounder’s best traits are his competitiveness and ability to lead and win. He led his Westside team to two state championship games, winning one and losing the other in an instant classic.

DB Damarcus Leach
Overall: 716
In SC: 18
Among S: 61

Ranked as a safety, Damarcus Leach (Abbeville High School) could wind up at any secondary spot at USC. A “Mr. Do-It-All” player in high school, Leach won two state titles, one at the AA level and one at the A level. At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, he has length and a frame that can add weight. Leach is a heavy hitter but has enough athleticism and ball skills to become a good player at any position.

LB Josh Smith
Overall: 919
In SC: 21
Among LB: 102

Josh Smith (Dutch Fork High School) didn’t move to linebacker full-time until his senior season. The 6’1″, 225-pounder played a hybrid EDGE/linebacker role earlier in his career but came into his own after the position change. Smith plays with aggressiveness and physicality on every down. On3 views the Columbia-area native as a 4-star prospect.

WR Jayden Sellers
Overall: 991
In SC: 22
Among WR: 153

Known by many as LaNorris’ little brother, Jayden Sellers (South Florence High School) is a good player in his own right. Listed at 6’0″ and 170 pounds, the younger Sellers’ game at receiver is predicated on speed and quickness. He can operate in the slot but can beat defenses over the top, too. He caught over 100 yards of passes and three scores to knock off Cutter Woods and Westside in the state title game.

DB Brandon Cisse
Overall (Transfer Portal): 68
Overall among CB (Transfer Portal): 8

Brandon Cisse (Lakewood High School) spent two seasons at NC State out of high school. The home-state program came calling after he entered his name in the transfer portal, though, and now the Sumter native is a Gamecock. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2023 and has experience playing both outside corner and slot nickel. If he transitions well, he will compete for a starting job at South Carolina.

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