A look back at what became of every player Shane Beamer has signed at South Carolina

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer is entering his fifth season as the Gamecocks’ head coach. Following his hire in December 2020, Beamer had a quick turnaround before the early signing period for the 2021 class. This weekend, USC will begin its official visit schedule for the class of 2026. That means Beamer is working through his sixth recruiting class in Columbia.

Let’s take a look at South Carolina’s 2021-2025 recruiting classes and see what became of each Gamecock signee.

*This story will only consider scholarship players. All recruiting rankings will reflect the On3 Industry Ranking.*

Class of 2021
South Carolina’s 2021 class was limited by time and decommitments following the firing of Will Muschamp. The Gamecocks signed 10 players from high school, one from the junior college ranks, and 12 from the transfer portal. Compared to other high school classes, the group ranked No. 74 in the country overall.

Of the 11 high school and junior college signees, just four finished their time with the Gamecocks. Defensive tackle Nick Barrett is the only player still with the team as a redshirt senior. Fellow defensive lineman TJ Sanders earned selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott signed an UDFA deal with the Carolina Panthers, and running back Juju McDowell exhausted his eligibility this winter. La’Dareyen Craig, Colten Gauthier, O’Mega Blake, Kolbe Fields, Sam Reynolds, JonDarius Morgan, and Jordan Davis all transferred away from the Gamecocks.

Seven of the 12 transfer signees that year stuck it out with South Carolina. Defensive back Marcellas Dial was drafted in 2024, while EDGE Jordan Strachan, wide receiver Ahmarean Brown, defensive back Carlins Platel, and linebacker Debo Williams all got NFL chances after the draft. Versatile secondary player David Spaulding and coach-turned-quarterback Zeb Noland finished out their eligibility in garnet and black. Noland later returned to coaching with the program. Defensive back Karon Prunty transferred before ever taking a snap with the Gamecocks. Isaiah Norris, Jahkeem Green, Tyrese Ross, and EJ Jenkins all left the program, too.

Class of 2022
With a full year on the job, Beamer helped South Carolina to a 27th-ranked recruiting class. The Gamecocks signed 22 players from high school and eight scholarship transfers.

Of those 22 high school recruits, five are still with the Gamecocks. EDGE Bryan Thomas, safeties DQ Smith and Peyton Williams, and offensive linemen Cason Henry and Ryan Brubaker are all headed into year four with the program. Defensive back Nick Emmanwori finished three years with the team before becoming an early pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The other 16 all transferred. That list included Stone Blanton, Keenan Nelson, Tanner Bailey, Emory Floyd, Donovan Westmoreland, Landon Samson, Braden Davis, Kajuan Banks, Felix Hixon, Grayson Mains, Jamaal Whyce, Kylic Horton, Anthony Rose, Demetrius Warren, Zavier Short, and D’Andre Martin.

A smaller group of transfers saw quarterback Spencer Rattler eventually drafted, tight end Nate Adkins sign as a free agent, and running back Christian Beal-Smith land a training camp contract. Walk-on transfer running back Dante Miller got an undrafted free agent deal, too. Devonni Reed graduated as a Gamecock, and Lovasea Carroll retired with a medical hardship. Both Austin Stogner (Oklahoma) and Corey Rucker (Arkansas State) transferred back from where they came. Juice Wells and Terrell Dawkins transferred after two years at USC.

Class of 2023
The 2023 cycle yielded one of the highest-ranked recruiting classes in recent South Carolina history. With 23 high school signees and one junior college transfer, the group ranked No. 16 in the country. 10 transfer portal players also joined the Gamecocks that offseason.

5-star athlete-turned-receiver Nyck Harbor, defensive back Jalon Kilgore, EDGE Desmond Umeozulu, offensive lineman Markee Anderson, defensive back Vicari Swain, offensive lineman Tree Babalade, defensive back Zahbari Sandy, offensive lineman Trovon Baugh, cornerback Judge Collier, offensive lineman Jatavius Shivers, and quarterback LaNorris Sellers are still wearing garnet and black. Before ever getting on the field, defensive back Cameron Upshaw and EDGE Monteque Rhames were kicked off the team due to a gun-related arrest. Then, Xzavier McLeod and Kelton Henderson were also dismissed. Pup Howard, Djay Braswell, Tyshawn Russell, Connor Cox, Reid Mikeska, Kamron Sandlin, CJ Adams, and Elijah Caldwell all hit the portal. Junior college defensive lineman Elijah Davis transferred, as well.

A pair of 2023 transfer additions still play for Carolina, too: linebacker Jaron Willis and EDGE JT Geer. Tight ends Josh Simon and Trey Knox and offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo all made it to the NFL, with Gargiulo being a seventh-round draft pick. Eddie Lewis graduated. Nick Elksnis, Mario Anderson, Drew Tuazama, and Sidney Fugar all transferred again.

Class of 2024
South Carolina’s high school class of 2024 was still a top 20 group (19th) despite being smaller. With 15 high school signees, one junior college pledge, and 21 transfer additions, the Gamecocks were loaded with new faces.

5-star EDGE Dylan Stewart and 5-star offensive lineman Josiah Thompson headlined the class, and tight end Michael Smith, linebacker Fred “JayR” Johnson, running back Matthew Fuller, wide receiver Mazeo Bennett, defensive back Kelvin Hunter, offensive lineman Blake Franks, defensive back David Bucey, punter/kicker Mason Love, and defensive back Jalewis Solomon are also second-year Gamecocks. South Carolina never saw junior college defensive tackle Jerome Simmons as he didn’t make it into school. Wendell Gregory, Kam Pringle, Dante Reno, and Debron Gatling entered the transfer portal this offseason.

A large transfer class included linebacker Demetrius Knight and EDGE Kyle Kennard, both of whom earned NFL Draft selection. EDGE Gilber Edmond (a former Gamecock who left but came back), running back Rocket Sanders, wide receiver Dalevon Campbell, defensive lineman DeAndre Jules, offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins, and wide receiver Gage Larvadain have all had NFL chances this spring, too. Tight end Brady Hunt, running back Jawarn Howell, defensive tackle Monkell Goodwine, wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs, running back Oscar Adaway, defensive back Gerald Kilgore, and wide receiver Jared Brown return for 2025. Wide receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce never played for Carolina before transferring back to Louisville, and linebacker Bangally Kamara quit mid-year to re-enter the portal. Following just one year in Columbia, offensive lineman Aaryn Parks and quarterback Robby Ashford again found new homes as transfers. Quarterback Davis Beville and offensive lineman Kamaar Bell were the only two non-NFL-bound graduates.

Class of 2025
This offseason, Beamer and the Gamecocks signed 25 high school prospects, one from junior college, and 17 transfers for the nation’s No. 18-ranked class. By the end of this week, South Carolina expects to have everyone enrolled. Running back Rahsul Faison has not yet received NCAA clearance for a final year of eligibility.

The class includes 4-star wide receivers Malik Clark, Jordon Gidron, Brian Rowe, Lex Cyrus, and Donovan Murph, 3-star wide receiver Jayden Sellers, 4-star offensive linemen Damola Ajidahun and Shed Sarratt, 4-star linebacker Donovan Darden, 3-star linebackers Taeshawn Alston, AJ Holloway, and Josh Smith, 4-star EDGE Jaquavious Dodd, 3-star EDGEs Anthony Addison and Kobby Sakyi-Prah, 4-star safety Kendall Daniels, 3-star safeties Damarcus Leach and Chris Hatfield, 4-star athlete Jaquel Holman, 3-star defensive tackles Christian Ingram and Caleb Williams, 3-star tight end Mike Tyler, 3-star kicker/punter Max Kelley, 3-star long snapper Kyler Farrow, 3-star quarterback Cutter Woods, and 4-star junior college defensive tackle Zavion Hardy.

The team’s 17 transfer portal additions include winter enrollees defensive tackles Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy and Davonte Miles, linebackers Shawn Murphy and Justin Okoronkwo, tight end Jordan Dingle, quarterback Air Noland, running back Rahsul Faison, EDGEs Jaylen Brown, cornerbacks Brandon Cisse and Myles Norwood, and offensive linemen Boaz Stanley, Nick Sharpe, and RJ Newsom. EDGEs George Wilson and Demon Clowney, defensive tackle Troy Pikes, and offensive lineman Nolan Hay all joined USC this spring.