South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer officially brought Kendal Briles on board as the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last Thursday, and it didn’t take long for Briles to make his presence felt on the recruiting trail.
Just days after his hire, Briles extended an offer to four-star quarterback Weston Nielsen in the class of 2027, according to a social media post from the prospect.
Nielsen, who hails from Bastrop, Texas, is currently committed to Arizona State under head coach Kenny Dillingham. Still, his recruitment has a clear South Carolina connection. Briles originally offered Nielsen in February 2024 while serving as offensive coordinator at TCU. Nielsen’s commitment to Arizona State came after Briles departed Fort Worth, though the Horned Frogs had previously been viewed as a strong contender.
In announcing the new offer, Nielsen publicly thanked Briles “for continuing to believe in me.”
On the field, Nielsen brings a well-rounded athletic profile. As a junior, he competed as a dual-sport athlete and qualified regionally in the 4×400 relay in track and field. While not considered an elite sprinter, he has enough mobility to threaten defenses when plays break down.
As a quarterback, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound signal-caller is effective both from the pocket and on the move. During the fall season, Nielsen threw for more than 3,000 yards and was responsible for 49 total touchdowns. His skill set includes the ability to throw off-platform and deliver the ball from multiple arm angles.
According to the Rivals database, Nielsen has not yet taken a visit to South Carolina’s campus.
In the Rivals Industry Ranking, Nielsen is listed as the No. 269 overall prospect in the 2027 class. He ranks as the No. 20 quarterback nationally and the No. 42 player in Texas, regardless of position, in a state known for producing elite talent.
South Carolina has yet to secure a public commitment in the 2027 class. Nielsen is one of eight quarterbacks who currently hold offers from the Gamecocks in that cycle — and notably, the first quarterback offer extended by Briles since arriving in Columbia.
