National Signing Day has come and gone and while the 2025 class is not finished since there is a late signing period in February as well, most of the action happened last week.
Rivals is breaking down each Top 25 recruiting class and we continue here with No. 21 South Carolina.
MORE GAMECOCKS: South Carolina's 2025 recruiting class
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NATIONAL SIGNING DAY: Grading the ACC | Grading the Big 12 | Grading the Big Ten | Grading the SEC | Gorney Awards | Winners and Losers | Who will be the team recruiting champ? | Who's left for the 2025 class? | Auburn beats Bama in-state | Ranking the top Group of Five signees | LSU's Kelly vents about NIL world | Live Blog | Announcement Guide
TRANSFER PORTAL OPENS MONDAY: Offensive transfers available | Defensive transfers available
WHAT WENT RIGHT ...
A top-21 class is strong for South Carolina and it was accomplished by some big signing day flips from four-star OL Damola Ajidahun (Georgia Tech) and three-star tight end Mike Tyler, who plays at Columbia (S.C.) Hammond School and switched from LSU.
That was a big finish for the Gamecocks, who also loaded up at wide receiver with five signees there led by four-stars Malik Clark and Jordon Gidron. South Carolina might not be done at receiver either as it leads Clemson for four-star Donovan Murph, who has yet to announce his final decision.
On signing day, the Gamecocks also loaded up along the defensive line by winning two major recruiting battles. South Carolina beat USC and Kentucky for four-star Christian Ingram and flipped four-star JUCO DL Zavion Hardy from Mississippi State.
In-state recruiting was strong, too. Although the state’s top prospect, four-star DL Amare Adams, chose Clemson, the Gamecocks signed three of the top-six recruits from South Carolina and could add a fourth with Murph.
WHAT WENT WRONG ...
Last recruiting cycle, South Carolina went to Washington, D.C., to land five-star defensive end Dylan Stewart who has been an absolute star for the Gamecocks. The previous cycle, they went to the nation’s capitol for five-star pass-catcher Nyckoles Harbor, who has been a nice contributor and could break out.
But in this recruiting class there were no five-star signees and no signees among the highest four-star designation. South Carolina landed some impressive playmakers especially on offense but only eight of 25 signees were ranked as four-stars.
PARTING PREDICTION
South Carolina’s wide receiver recruiting class - plus his special talent - will make LaNorris Sellers a serious Heisman contender.
In his first season as a starter taking over for Spencer Rattler, Sellers showed flashes of brilliance both in the passing game but also as a dual-threat and he had a great game in the Gamecocks’ win at Clemson to close out the regular season.
The top receivers for South Carolina this year were Joshua Simon and Mazeo Bennett, fine players, but the Gamecocks are getting a massive insertion of talent there coming into next season.
Nearly every receiver who signed was close to 1,000 yards receiving and had double-digit touchdowns. The only one who didn’t was mid-four-star Jordon Gidron, who suffered a knee injury early in the season, but he could up those types of numbers in the previous season.
With Sellers getting more comfortable in his second season and now a cadre of elite receivers to throw to, he could be a dark horse Heisman candidate next season.
