South Carolina Extends Early Offer to 2029 Defensive End DJ Dockery Out of Gonzaga High
Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks continue to look far ahead in their recruiting strategy — this time targeting one of the nation’s youngest rising prospects. The Gamecocks have officially offered DJ Dockery, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., in the class of 2029.
The offer places Dockery among the earliest recruits in his class to draw Power Five attention, and it signals South Carolina’s intent to establish relationships with elite talent years before they reach college decision time.
Dockery, who’s just beginning his high school journey, has already turned heads on the defensive line with his size, explosiveness, and advanced understanding of the game. Despite being only a freshman, he’s shown the kind of motor and technique typically reserved for upperclassmen.
According to early scouting notes from Gonzaga’s coaching staff, Dockery has been a “difference-maker off the edge,” using both his speed and power to collapse pockets and stuff the run. His combination of length and athleticism has drawn comparisons to some of the top edge rushers to come through the D.C. area in recent years.
After receiving the offer, Dockery expressed his excitement on social media, sharing his gratitude to the Gamecocks’ coaching staff and tagging several South Carolina assistants. The post quickly gained traction among recruiting fans and regional scouts, many of whom noted how rare it is for a player from the 2029 class to pick up a major SEC offer this early.
South Carolina’s early outreach follows Beamer’s continued focus on building national recruiting pipelines, particularly in the mid-Atlantic region — an area that has produced multiple Gamecock contributors in recent years.
While Dockery’s college decision is still years away, this offer serves as a statement from the Gamecocks’ staff: they’re not waiting to identify top talent. If Dockery continues on his current trajectory, his name will likely be one of the most talked about in his class by the time national recruiting rankings for 2029 begin to take shape.
For now, the young edge rusher’s recruitment is just getting started — but South Carolina has officially put itself at the front of the line.
