Saturday night in Columbia is shaping up to be one of the biggest moments of the season for South Carolina football. The matchup with Vanderbilt carries major on-field importance, but it’s also become one of the Gamecocks’ most significant recruiting weekends of the year. Shane Beamer and his staff will host not only several key commits, but also some of the most sought-after prospects in the country.
Gamecock Commits in Attendance
South Carolina will have plenty of familiar faces in the stands, including 2026 quarterback commit Landon Duckworth. He’ll be joined by fellow pledges Darius Gray, KJ Johnson, Aiden Harris, and Andrew Harris, all part of USC’s growing 2026 class.
Headlining Recruits Visiting Columbia
The spotlight won’t be limited to current commits. Some of the biggest names in high school football are expected at Williams-Brice Stadium.
- Julian Walker, a four-star defensive end, will make his second straight weekend visit.
- LaDamion Guyton, the nation’s No. 1 overall player in the 2027 class, will also be on hand.
- Tico Crittendon, a three-star defensive end currently committed to Florida State, is making the trip as well.
2027 Targets on Campus
South Carolina will also welcome several priority targets from the 2027 class, including Jaiden Bryant, KJ Green, Jaiden Kelly-Murray, and Anthony Sweeny. All will get a first-hand look at a Saturday night game-day atmosphere in Columbia, with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m.
Why This Weekend Matters
Recruiting weekends like this are pivotal in today’s landscape. With NIL opportunities and social media attention weighing heavily on decisions, the atmosphere a school provides has become more influential than ever. Recruits want to envision themselves on the field under the lights, in front of a raucous home crowd.
For Beamer and South Carolina, taking care of business against Vanderbilt is crucial not only for the season at hand but also for the program’s long-term future.
