South Carolina Lands 2026 In-State Tight End Prospect Caden Ramsey
South Carolina football continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail, adding another key piece to its 2026 class. On Monday afternoon, Cross High School standout Caden Ramsey announced his commitment to the Gamecocks, giving Shane Beamer and his staff a versatile in-state tight end with a strong family connection to USC.
Position coach Shawn Elliott first extended the offer to Ramsey back in June, setting the foundation for the Gamecocks to eventually secure his pledge. For Ramsey, the opportunity was personal.
“My uncle played basketball for USC, and my cousin played football at USC and went on to the NFL,” Ramsey told GamecockCentral last month. “Coming from Cross, where people rarely come to check us out, I never imagined them having any interest in me. I live in SC, so of course I see tons of commercials about the Gamecocks. When I went to Junior Day, the staff down to the head coach spent time with all the potential players. It was really down to earth.”
At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Ramsey brings both size and athleticism to the table. He also held Power 4 offers from Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech, but the Gamecocks ultimately stood out thanks to relationships and familiarity with the program.
Ramsey got an in-depth look at the culture Shane Beamer has established when he attended USC’s Junior Day earlier this year. The connection with his future position coach left a lasting impression.
“Coach Elliott sat and had breakfast with my family (at the junior day). Things like that mean a lot to me,” Ramsey said. “Coach Elliott is a straight country boy and so am I. He came in jeans and cowboy boots. If you’re from the country like me, we respect that. Those boots were a sign to me of hard work.”
On the field, Ramsey has already proven himself as a reliable playmaker. As a junior, he hauled in 40 receptions for 749 yards and nine touchdowns. Through just two games in the 2025 season, he’s picked up 10 catches for 194 yards and one touchdown, according to MaxPreps.
Recruiting services have taken notice as well. Rivals ranks Ramsey as the No. 20 tight end in the 2026 class and the No. 7 overall prospect in South Carolina. He also plays both ways for head coach Shaun Wright at Cross High, showing the versatility and toughness that the Gamecocks have prioritized in their recent recruiting classes.
With Ramsey’s commitment, South Carolina adds not only a promising in-state talent but also another player who understands the culture and traditions of the program.
