South Carolina kicked off the Early Signing Period on Wednesday, and by Thursday evening, the Gamecocks all but wrapped up their 2026 recruiting class.
At this point, South Carolina holds 15 commitments for the cycle. While the staff could revisit a prospect or two in February, Shane Beamer suggested the high school portion of the class is likely close to complete. With things essentially finalized, here’s a breakdown of USC’s 2026 commitments, their national standing, and where each player ranks.
All rankings reflect the Rivals Industry Ranking, a composite from Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN.
South Carolina’s Class Standing
With just 15 commits, the Gamecocks still sit at No. 15 nationally—an impressive position considering every team ahead of them has at least 19 pledges. USC also ranks No. 8 in the SEC.
Per-player averages place the Gamecocks firmly inside the top tier. Their class ranks No. 9 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC in average player rating. Of the 14 teams ahead of them overall, nine have 25 or more commits, highlighting USC’s efficiency in quality over quantity.
Out of the 15 commits, 12 hold at least one four-star grade, and three are considered five-star caliber by at least one major outlet.
Last year, the Gamecocks landed another top-20 class (No. 18), marking their third straight cycle in that range. The 2026 haul is on pace for another top 20 finish—and potentially Shane Beamer’s first top-15 class.
2026 South Carolina Commitments
OL Darius Gray
- No. 45 overall
- No. 1 interior OL nationally
- No. 2 in Virginia
- Four-star
Considered one of the most athletic linemen in the country, Gray leads USC’s class. He’s a Rivals Industry Ranking four-star and carries a five-star grade from another major outlet.
EDGE Julian Walker
- No. 72 overall
- No. 11 EDGE nationally
- No. 1 in South Carolina
- Four-star
After flipping from Michigan on Signing Day, Walker becomes one of the headliners of the class. Rivals ranks him No. 26 nationally, placing him on a potential five-star trajectory.
S J’Zavien Currence
- No. 88 overall
- No. 9 safety nationally
- No. 2 in South Carolina
- Four-star
A versatile athlete for South Pointe, Currence is expected to thrive in the secondary and physically reminds some evaluators of former Gamecock Nick Emmanwori.
DT Aiden Harris
- No. 93 overall
- No. 9 DL nationally
- No. 7 in North Carolina
- Four-star
Once the top-rated defensive lineman in the entire class, Harris remains a consensus four-star and fills a crucial need at defensive tackle.
OL Zyon Guiles
- No. 103 overall
- No. 5 interior OL nationally
- No. 4 in South Carolina
- Four-star
Rated as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman by Rivals and a top-100 level recruit in other outlets, Guiles forms an elite duo with Darius Gray.
QB Landon Duckworth
- No. 144 overall
- No. 10 QB nationally
- No. 6 in Alabama
- Four-star
USC’s earliest 2026 commit is back in the fold after briefly reopening his recruitment. He recently announced his recruitment is fully shut down.
WR Sequel Patterson
- No. 251 overall
- No. 43 WR nationally
- No. 5 in South Carolina
- Four-star
A former 2027 prospect who reclassified, Patterson could have earned four-star status at corner or receiver. He’ll play wideout in Columbia.
CB Kosci Barnes
- No. 291 overall
- No. 35 CB nationally
- No. 14 in North Carolina
- Four-star
Barnes (6-2, 185) fits perfectly into Torrian Gray’s mold. He recently climbed more than 300 spots in the rankings.
DT Noah Clark
- No. 295 overall
- No. 34 DL nationally
- No. 15 in North Carolina
- Four-star
Clark is a consensus four-star and projects as a nose tackle—a position USC desperately needed to bolster.
LB/EDGE Andrew Harris
- No. 381 overall
- No. 36 EDGE nationally
- No. 18 in North Carolina
- Four-star (one outlet)
Although listed as an EDGE by recruiting sites, USC plans to use him at linebacker.
DB KJ Johnson
- No. 513 overall
- No. 50 CB nationally
- No. 18 in Alabama
- Three-star
Just a single point away from four-star status by two outlets, Johnson brings positional flexibility across the secondary.
LB Keenan Britt
- No. 594 overall
- No. 50 LB nationally
- No. 20 in Alabama
- Three-star
Once labeled an EDGE, Britt will play linebacker in Columbia and holds a four-star grade from one service.
ATH/DB Triston Lewis
- No. 705 overall
- No. 20 ATH nationally
- No. 14 in South Carolina
- Three-star
A 6-4, 200-pound high school quarterback with defensive back traits, Lewis committed immediately after receiving an offer.
TE Caden Ramsey
- No. 979 overall
- No. 66 TE nationally
- No. 18 in South Carolina
- Three-star (Rivals four-star)
Rivals is much higher on Ramsey than other outlets, elevating him to four-star status.
OL Anthony Baxter
- No. 1427 overall
- No. 138 interior OL nationally
- No. 26 in South Carolina
- Three-star
A longtime commit and teammate of Currence, Baxter is likely to stay on the interior of the offensive line.
This 2026 class—loaded with high-end defensive talent and elite offensive line play—positions South Carolina for one of its strongest recruiting hauls under Shane Beamer.
