Grading South Carolina's 2024 Football Recruiting Class
Examining the South Carolina Gamecocks' 2024 signing class, we will assign individual ratings to each position group. Diving right into it, we will break down the high school and transfer classes, providing separate grades for each position unit.
QB Room
- Dante Reno
- Davis Beville (Preferred Walk-On Transfer from Oklahoma)
- Potential Portal QBs Added: Robby Ashford (Auburn) and Jordan McCloud (James Madison)
Room Grade: C+
The QB room has significant potential for reevaluation. I rate it as a C+, but there needs to be more depth regarding scholarship QBs. The Gamecocks recently acquired a promising walk-on, OU QB Davis Beville. However, this addition doesn't impact the team's depth as it would if the Gamecocks were to acquire Jordan McCloud or Robby Ashford as their third scholarship quarterback. In that case, I could see upgrading this room even further.
RB Room
- Raheim 'Rocket' Sanders (Arkansas Transfer)
- Oscar Adaway III (North Texas Transfer)
- Jawarn Howell (South Carolina State Transfer)
- Matthew Fuller
Room Grade: A+
One of the Gamecocks' most significant needs has been addressed with this RB class, from high school recruits to transfers from the portal. The team has secured 9,334 career all-purpose yards and 90 touchdowns among these four running backs.
WR Room
- Jared Brown (Coastal Carolina Transfer)
- Gage Larvadain (Miami of Ohio Transfer)
- Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Louisville Transfer)
- Mazeo Bennett
- Debron Gatling
Room Grade: B+
At the start of the transfer window, chaos ensued when South Carolina star WR Antwane 'Juice' Wells announced his departure, along with a few previously promising receivers who didn't see much playing time. In response, the Gamecocks have brought in highly talented playmakers, boasting a combined 4,586 receiving yards and 34 receiving touchdowns in their college careers.
However, I don't believe the Gamecocks are finished. They might still pursue a bigger-bodied receiver, the lack of which holds me back from giving this room an A rating. There's room for improvement, with ample young talent needing development.
TE Room
- Brady Hunt (Ball State Transfer)
- Michael Smith
Room Grade: A
Looking to add some more play-making ability to the tight end position, the Gamecocks landed two high-level players: 2022 Freshman All-American Brady Hunt and Under Armour All-American Michael Smith, who is also ranked as the No. 4 TE in his class by 247Sports.
OL Room
- Josiah Thompson
- Kam Pringle
- Torricelli Simpkins III (North Carolina Central Transfer)
- Aaryn Parks (Oklahoma Transfer)
- Blake Franks
Room Grade: A+
The Gamecocks conclude the 2024 class with the three best high school o-line recruits in the state of South Carolina and secured two veteran transfers to strengthen the depth of this unit. The future of the offensive line is looking promising after this class.
EDGE Room
- Dylan Stewart
- Kyle Kennard (Georgia Tech Transfer)
- Wendell Gregory (OLB/EDGE)
Room Grade: A+
The Gamecocks have significantly improved their EDGE rusher position by securing consensus five-star prospect Dylan Stewart, who is ranked as the No. 2 EDGE in the class. Additionally, they've acquired a four-star transfer in Kyle Kennard from Georgia Tech, who garnered interest from multiple big-name teams.
DL Room
- DeAndre Jules (Pittsburgh Transfer)
- Jerome Simmons (JUCO)
- Monkell Goodwine (Alabama Transfer)
- C.J. Dixon (PWO)
- Chase Kibble (PWO)
Room Grade: C-
Despite being named the leader for many top prospects such as Justin Greene, Hevin Brown-Shuler, Jordan Thomas, and Nnamdi Ogboko, South Carolina landed none of them, making it a down year for the Gamecocks in DL recruiting. However, Carolna managed to secure highly-touted transfer DeAndre Jules and signed top JUCO DT Jerome Simmons.
LB Room
- Fred Johnson
- Wendell Gregory
- Demetrius Knight (Charlotte Transfer)
- Bangally Kamara (Pittsburgh Transfer)
- Dylan Stewart (OLB/EDGE)
Room Grade: A+
The Gamecocks landed one of the best linebacker classes in the nation this year, much like they did with the EDGE room. It's a very impressive group of guys in both the high school and transfer classes.
DB Room
- Jalewis Solomon
- Kelvin Hunter
- David Bucey
- Gerald Kilgore (Tennessee Tech Transfer)
- Buddy Mack III (Walk-On Transfer from Pittsburgh)
- Isaiah McClary (PWO)
Room Grade: B
While this defensive back class could've been a bit stronger if other recruitments went Carolina's way, it still remains robust with additions like Jalewis Solomon and Kelvin Hunter, along with transfer Gerald Kilgore.
Special Teams Room
- Mason Love
Room Grade: A+
The Gamecocks secured Under Armour All-American Mason Love, who is ranked as the No. 3 punter in the class by On3's Industry Rankings.
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