5 uncommitted offensive targets for the Gamecocks 2024 recruiting cycle
March 17, 2023
The Gamecocks currently hold the nation’s No. 6 class in the 2024 cycle, per 247Sports. And while it’s incredibly early in the process, this has the makings of one of the best classes in modern school history. Here’s a look at five uncommitted offensive recruits to know in the 2024 class:
WR JONATHAN PAYLOR
Burlington, North Carolina | Ranking: Four-star, No. 96 overall South Carolina is already off to an excellent start in the 2024 class with a commitment from Greenville receiver Mazeo Bennett, a four-star pass-catcher and the No. 217 player nationally. Adding Jonathan Paylor, though, would be an even more impressive get. The North Carolina native is smaller than Bennett at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, but more than makes up for it with his speed. Not all that dissimilar to 2023 signee Nyckoles Harbor, Paylor is a dynamic track athlete. He’s been clocked at 10.7 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 6.45 seconds in the 55-meter.
South Carolina is set to lose plenty of production from its receiver room following the 2023 season including Antwane “Juice” Wells, Dakereon Joyner, and Ahmarean Brown. The Gamecocks haven’t landed a high school receiver ranked inside the top 400 nationally since Beamer took over in December 2021. Paylor would be the second such player in this class. It’s expected this becomes a battle between USC and N.C. State, though Paylor told Phil Kornblut of SportsTalk Media last week South Carolina is out in front right now. Crazier things have happened, but this recruitment feels like one that could wrap up sooner than later.
OT JOSIAH THOMPSON
Dillon, South Carolina | Ranking: Four-star, No. 58 overall South Carolina’s offensive line classes in the last two cycles have been incredibly impressive. Still, the 2024 haul could top both of those. After landing a pair of four-star recruits along the line last year, the Gamecocks already have a pledge from the No. 1 tackle nationally in Kam Pringle. Don’t be surprised if they add Josiah Thompson, the No. 5 tackle in the class, in short order. South Carolina has been on Thompson and Pringle, for that matter since this staff was put together in early 2021. Former offensive line coach Greg Adkins spearheaded Thompson’s recruitment for most of that time, while his replacement, Lonnie Teasley, has continued to help tag-team the effort. Beamer has preached about the importance of play in the trenches since he landed in Columbia. Thompson would be another immensely talented piece to add upfront.
OL BLAKE FRANKS
Greenville, South Carolina | Ranking: Three-star, No. 422 overall Speaking of the offensive line, Franks is another piece South Carolina has worked its way into the mix for of late. The Greenville product is a high school teammate of Bennett’s, a connection that only stands to help the Gamecocks. He’s got the frame at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds to be a difference-maker at tackle during his college years, though he could shift around depending on needs.
Franks’ recruitment has largely evolved into a two-horse race between Clemson and South Carolina. The Tigers have long led here, but the Gamecocks have emerged of late. (The last five Crystal Ball predictions on 247Sports are in USC’s favor.) South Carolina has cleaned up in-state over the last class-plus. Getting Franks would give the Gamecocks a legit chance to sign five of the top seven players in the Palmetto State during the 2024 cycle. Beating the Tigers for Franks would only make it sweeter.
RB PEYTON LEWIS
Salem, Virginia | Ranking: N/A Don’t let Peyton Lewis’ lack of a recruiting ranking fool you. He’s one of the faster-risers in the 2024 class over the last few months. Lewis’ offer sheet is impressive, including tenders from South Carolina, Nebraska, N.C. State, Tennessee, Penn State, West Virginia and Wisconsin, among others. Most of those offers, too, have come in the last month.
South Carolina’s running back room is particularly thin following the departures of MarShawn Lloyd (Southern Cal), Rashad Amos (Miami, OH) and Dante Miller (graduation). The Gamecocks could use a tailback or two during the 2024 cycle, and Lewis is one that could get some attention. Beamer and his staff have done a nice job recruiting the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area in their two-plus years in Columbia. It’s also no secret Beamer and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray (a former Virginia Tech standout) have plenty of ties to Virginia, in particular. It’s early in the process, but South Carolina should feel good about getting in the mix with Lewis on the front end of his recruitment. There’s likely a long way to go — and more offers that will come — in this one. QB
JAYDEN BRADFORD
Chapin, South Carolina | Ranking: Four-star, No. 115 overall Jayden Bradford’s name should be plenty familiar to Gamecocks fans. Had he not moved to Florida to play at IMG Academy, Bradford would likely be one of the highest-rated players in the state in the 2024 class. He’s also been to South Carolina countless times, including a handful of unofficial visits during the 2023 season.
The Gamecocks already have a quarterback committed in their 2024 class in four-star passer Dante Reno, but South Carolina hasn’t been afraid to bring in more than one quarterback in a single class. (See the 2022 group that included Tanner Bailey, Braden Davis and Jalen Daniels.) Bradford may eventually fall off the board given the Gamecocks are loaded in the quarterback room over the next few years. That said, he’s an immense talent and one with enough ties to the area that he could remain in the mix, at least peripherally, for the rest of the cycle.
March 17, 2023
The Gamecocks currently hold the nation’s No. 6 class in the 2024 cycle, per 247Sports. And while it’s incredibly early in the process, this has the makings of one of the best classes in modern school history. Here’s a look at five uncommitted offensive recruits to know in the 2024 class:
WR JONATHAN PAYLOR
Burlington, North Carolina | Ranking: Four-star, No. 96 overall South Carolina is already off to an excellent start in the 2024 class with a commitment from Greenville receiver Mazeo Bennett, a four-star pass-catcher and the No. 217 player nationally. Adding Jonathan Paylor, though, would be an even more impressive get. The North Carolina native is smaller than Bennett at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, but more than makes up for it with his speed. Not all that dissimilar to 2023 signee Nyckoles Harbor, Paylor is a dynamic track athlete. He’s been clocked at 10.7 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 6.45 seconds in the 55-meter.
South Carolina is set to lose plenty of production from its receiver room following the 2023 season including Antwane “Juice” Wells, Dakereon Joyner, and Ahmarean Brown. The Gamecocks haven’t landed a high school receiver ranked inside the top 400 nationally since Beamer took over in December 2021. Paylor would be the second such player in this class. It’s expected this becomes a battle between USC and N.C. State, though Paylor told Phil Kornblut of SportsTalk Media last week South Carolina is out in front right now. Crazier things have happened, but this recruitment feels like one that could wrap up sooner than later.
OT JOSIAH THOMPSON
Dillon, South Carolina | Ranking: Four-star, No. 58 overall South Carolina’s offensive line classes in the last two cycles have been incredibly impressive. Still, the 2024 haul could top both of those. After landing a pair of four-star recruits along the line last year, the Gamecocks already have a pledge from the No. 1 tackle nationally in Kam Pringle. Don’t be surprised if they add Josiah Thompson, the No. 5 tackle in the class, in short order. South Carolina has been on Thompson and Pringle, for that matter since this staff was put together in early 2021. Former offensive line coach Greg Adkins spearheaded Thompson’s recruitment for most of that time, while his replacement, Lonnie Teasley, has continued to help tag-team the effort. Beamer has preached about the importance of play in the trenches since he landed in Columbia. Thompson would be another immensely talented piece to add upfront.
OL BLAKE FRANKS
Greenville, South Carolina | Ranking: Three-star, No. 422 overall Speaking of the offensive line, Franks is another piece South Carolina has worked its way into the mix for of late. The Greenville product is a high school teammate of Bennett’s, a connection that only stands to help the Gamecocks. He’s got the frame at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds to be a difference-maker at tackle during his college years, though he could shift around depending on needs.
Franks’ recruitment has largely evolved into a two-horse race between Clemson and South Carolina. The Tigers have long led here, but the Gamecocks have emerged of late. (The last five Crystal Ball predictions on 247Sports are in USC’s favor.) South Carolina has cleaned up in-state over the last class-plus. Getting Franks would give the Gamecocks a legit chance to sign five of the top seven players in the Palmetto State during the 2024 cycle. Beating the Tigers for Franks would only make it sweeter.
RB PEYTON LEWIS
Salem, Virginia | Ranking: N/A Don’t let Peyton Lewis’ lack of a recruiting ranking fool you. He’s one of the faster-risers in the 2024 class over the last few months. Lewis’ offer sheet is impressive, including tenders from South Carolina, Nebraska, N.C. State, Tennessee, Penn State, West Virginia and Wisconsin, among others. Most of those offers, too, have come in the last month.
South Carolina’s running back room is particularly thin following the departures of MarShawn Lloyd (Southern Cal), Rashad Amos (Miami, OH) and Dante Miller (graduation). The Gamecocks could use a tailback or two during the 2024 cycle, and Lewis is one that could get some attention. Beamer and his staff have done a nice job recruiting the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area in their two-plus years in Columbia. It’s also no secret Beamer and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray (a former Virginia Tech standout) have plenty of ties to Virginia, in particular. It’s early in the process, but South Carolina should feel good about getting in the mix with Lewis on the front end of his recruitment. There’s likely a long way to go — and more offers that will come — in this one. QB
JAYDEN BRADFORD
Chapin, South Carolina | Ranking: Four-star, No. 115 overall Jayden Bradford’s name should be plenty familiar to Gamecocks fans. Had he not moved to Florida to play at IMG Academy, Bradford would likely be one of the highest-rated players in the state in the 2024 class. He’s also been to South Carolina countless times, including a handful of unofficial visits during the 2023 season.
The Gamecocks already have a quarterback committed in their 2024 class in four-star passer Dante Reno, but South Carolina hasn’t been afraid to bring in more than one quarterback in a single class. (See the 2022 group that included Tanner Bailey, Braden Davis and Jalen Daniels.) Bradford may eventually fall off the board given the Gamecocks are loaded in the quarterback room over the next few years. That said, he’s an immense talent and one with enough ties to the area that he could remain in the mix, at least peripherally, for the rest of the cycle.
