Shane Beamer and his South Carolina staff were back on the recruiting trail Thursday, making strategic stops that underline just how aggressively the Gamecocks are working to shape their future roster.
First up: Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina. Beamer wasn’t alone-he was joined by defensive coordinator Clayton White and wide receivers coach Mike Furrey.
The trio was there keeping tabs on Christian Webb-Scott, a promising defensive end in the class of 2028 who just visited Columbia last weekend. While it’s still early in his recruitment, the fact that South Carolina’s top coaches are already showing face speaks volumes.
Webb-Scott has the kind of frame and motor that coaches love to mold, and the Gamecocks clearly want to be in the mix from the jump.
Westside is also home to 2029 quarterback Bear Woods. If that last name rings a bell, it should-he’s the younger brother of Cutter Woods, a redshirt freshman quarterback already in the South Carolina program. While NCAA rules don’t allow coaches to have direct off-campus contact with underclassmen like Webb-Scott and Woods, just being present at their school sends a message: South Carolina is watching, and they’re watching early.
Later in the day, Beamer and company made their way north to Pennsylvania for a more hands-on visit. The destination?
Coatesville Area High School, home of five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller. This wasn’t a solo mission-offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, offensive line coach Randy Clements, and director of player personnel and recruiting Darren Uscher all made the trip.
When it comes to a talent like Hiller, you bring the full court press.
And make no mistake-Hiller is the real deal. Ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2027 class and the top interior offensive lineman in the country, he’s the kind of player who can anchor a line for years. South Carolina has already locked in an official visit with him for the weekend of June 19, and this in-person check-in is part of a larger, calculated push to make Columbia feel like home before other programs ramp up their efforts.
Because Hiller is in the 2027 class, coaches are allowed to have face-to-face interactions, unlike with the younger prospects in Anderson. That makes visits like this one all the more important-it’s not just about showing interest, it’s about building relationships and laying the groundwork for a commitment down the line.
Bottom line: South Carolina is playing the long game here, and they’re playing it smart. By getting eyes on elite prospects early and making personal connections where the rules allow, Beamer and his staff are putting themselves in position to land some game-changing talent.