Gamecock targets to watch for the early signing period nears
Dec. 07, 2021
Wide receiver three-star CAMDEN BROWN
Brown is one of the newer faces on South Carolina’s radar, having picked up an offer in November, but he’s a name worth talking about as the early signing period nears. The former Pittsburgh commit is rated a three-star recruit and the No. 601 player in the 2022 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Brown comes out of a football factory in St. Thomas Aquinas, where he’s played alongside Ole Miss receiver Bralon Brown and Vanderbilt receiver Quincy Skinner.
Brown has decommitting from Pitt. South Carolina could stand to add some playmakers to a receiver room that is short on bodies entering the spring and could still lose lead pass-catcher Josh Vann. The Gamecocks may look to the portal for immediate help here, but Brown would be a nice addition alongside current three-star receiver commits Landon Samson (Southlake, Texas) and Kylic Horton (Summerton).
Wide receiver/tight end, three stars ZAVIER SHORT
Short is a late addition to this list after he picked up a South Carolina offer on Wednesday. The Chapin standout has been a matchup nightmare for in-state defenses throughout his high school career. He finished his prep career ranked the all-time leading receiver at Chapin with 217 catches for 3,391 yards. This fall, he led the Eagles with 67 catches for 1,038 yards, 14 touchdowns. South Carolina is recruiting Short as a tight end in the mold of current Gamecock Jaheim Bell. At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he has the size and speed to project as a bigger body at the next level. With Nick Muse moving on, Gamecocks could use another set of hands to complement Bell at tight end as a receiver and Short would certainly fit that mold.
The Gamecocks currently have 18 commits in their 2022 class, and the early signing period will open up on Dec. 15. Beamer and his staff should add a few more names from the high school ranks in the next two weeks. Who might those be? Here’s a couple names to watch as the early signing period nears:
Defensive tackle, three stars D’ANDRE MARTIN
South Carolina has made a conscious effort to load up on defensive linemen in the 2022 class, and rightfully so. Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare feels destined for the NFL Draft this offseason. The Gamecocks could also lose M.J. Webb, Keem Green, and Jordan Strachan — all seniors who can still use one year of eligibility. Zacch Pickens, too, could have a draft decision to make. South Carolina already has commitments from Jamaal Whyce (Miami), Felix Hixon (Jackson, Georgia), Bryan Thomas Jr. (Winter Garden, Florida) and Demetrius Watson (North Charleston), but Martin would be a nice add to the group. The three-star North Carolina native plays his high school football in Virginia at Life Christian Academy. Martin is still committed to Virginia Tech and has remained so despite recent attempts by South Carolina to flip him. He visited with the Gamecocks during USC’s win over Auburn two weeks ago and remains a target heading into the final few weeks before signing day.
Wide receiver, four stars ANTONIO WILLIAMS
Williams is among the more high-profile names remaining on South Carolina’s board this late in the process. The Dutch Fork standout has been a major target for Beamer and his staff since they got to Columbia and receivers coach Justin Stepp has been dogged in his recruitment of Williams. Williams has recorded 1,470 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns on 73 catches for the Silver Foxes this year and is ranked as the No. 5 player in the state for the 2022 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
Auburn, Ole Miss and Clemson are all factors in this recruitment and should remain so up until he signs. The Tigers were the last of the bunch to join the mix after they missed out on a handful of other options. Williams told The State on Tuesday he’s leaning toward announcing his commitment before the early signing period opens on Dec. 15. A win here would go a long, long way for Beamer and his recruiting staff and be a major coup over South Carolina’s in-state rvials and a handful of other Southeastern Conference programs.
Dec. 07, 2021
Wide receiver three-star CAMDEN BROWN
Brown is one of the newer faces on South Carolina’s radar, having picked up an offer in November, but he’s a name worth talking about as the early signing period nears. The former Pittsburgh commit is rated a three-star recruit and the No. 601 player in the 2022 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Brown comes out of a football factory in St. Thomas Aquinas, where he’s played alongside Ole Miss receiver Bralon Brown and Vanderbilt receiver Quincy Skinner.
Brown has decommitting from Pitt. South Carolina could stand to add some playmakers to a receiver room that is short on bodies entering the spring and could still lose lead pass-catcher Josh Vann. The Gamecocks may look to the portal for immediate help here, but Brown would be a nice addition alongside current three-star receiver commits Landon Samson (Southlake, Texas) and Kylic Horton (Summerton).
Wide receiver/tight end, three stars ZAVIER SHORT
Short is a late addition to this list after he picked up a South Carolina offer on Wednesday. The Chapin standout has been a matchup nightmare for in-state defenses throughout his high school career. He finished his prep career ranked the all-time leading receiver at Chapin with 217 catches for 3,391 yards. This fall, he led the Eagles with 67 catches for 1,038 yards, 14 touchdowns. South Carolina is recruiting Short as a tight end in the mold of current Gamecock Jaheim Bell. At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he has the size and speed to project as a bigger body at the next level. With Nick Muse moving on, Gamecocks could use another set of hands to complement Bell at tight end as a receiver and Short would certainly fit that mold.
The Gamecocks currently have 18 commits in their 2022 class, and the early signing period will open up on Dec. 15. Beamer and his staff should add a few more names from the high school ranks in the next two weeks. Who might those be? Here’s a couple names to watch as the early signing period nears:
Defensive tackle, three stars D’ANDRE MARTIN
South Carolina has made a conscious effort to load up on defensive linemen in the 2022 class, and rightfully so. Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare feels destined for the NFL Draft this offseason. The Gamecocks could also lose M.J. Webb, Keem Green, and Jordan Strachan — all seniors who can still use one year of eligibility. Zacch Pickens, too, could have a draft decision to make. South Carolina already has commitments from Jamaal Whyce (Miami), Felix Hixon (Jackson, Georgia), Bryan Thomas Jr. (Winter Garden, Florida) and Demetrius Watson (North Charleston), but Martin would be a nice add to the group. The three-star North Carolina native plays his high school football in Virginia at Life Christian Academy. Martin is still committed to Virginia Tech and has remained so despite recent attempts by South Carolina to flip him. He visited with the Gamecocks during USC’s win over Auburn two weeks ago and remains a target heading into the final few weeks before signing day.
Wide receiver, four stars ANTONIO WILLIAMS
Williams is among the more high-profile names remaining on South Carolina’s board this late in the process. The Dutch Fork standout has been a major target for Beamer and his staff since they got to Columbia and receivers coach Justin Stepp has been dogged in his recruitment of Williams. Williams has recorded 1,470 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns on 73 catches for the Silver Foxes this year and is ranked as the No. 5 player in the state for the 2022 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
Auburn, Ole Miss and Clemson are all factors in this recruitment and should remain so up until he signs. The Tigers were the last of the bunch to join the mix after they missed out on a handful of other options. Williams told The State on Tuesday he’s leaning toward announcing his commitment before the early signing period opens on Dec. 15. A win here would go a long, long way for Beamer and his recruiting staff and be a major coup over South Carolina’s in-state rvials and a handful of other Southeastern Conference programs.
