As the contact period winds down on the college football recruiting trail, South Carolina’s coaching staff is making the most of every moment-and they’re putting in the miles to do it. On Friday, the Gamecocks made a strong in-state push, checking in with two of the top running back prospects in South Carolina’s 2027 class: Aiden Gibson and David Segarra. Both backs already hold offers from South Carolina, and both are coming off impressive junior seasons that have them squarely on the radar of Power Five programs.
First Stop: Woodruff High School
The day started with a visit to Woodruff High School, where head coach Shane Beamer was joined by offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, running backs coach Stan Drayton, and director of player personnel Darren Uscher. Their focus? Aiden Gibson, a 6-foot-2, 203-pound back who’s been steadily rising up recruiting boards.
Gibson is currently rated as the No. 438 overall player in the country and the No. 34 running back, according to the 247Sports Composite. But those rankings only tell part of the story.
On the field, Gibson has been a workhorse. His junior campaign featured 1,611 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 205 carries-a testament to both his durability and explosiveness.
He also showed he’s not just a ground threat, hauling in 24 receptions for 387 yards and four touchdowns across 11 games.
With that kind of production and size, Gibson brings a compelling blend of power and versatility. He’s the type of back who can grind out tough yards between the tackles, but also slip out of the backfield and create mismatches in the passing game. South Carolina’s staff clearly sees the potential, and their presence at Woodruff sent a clear message: Gibson is a priority.
Next Stop: Byrnes High School
Later that same day, Briles, Drayton, and Uscher made their way to Byrnes High School to check in on another elite in-state talent-David Segarra. And if Gibson is a rising star, Segarra is already shining on the national stage.
Ranked as the No. 109 overall player in the country and the No. 5 running back by 247Sports, Segarra has been a force for Byrnes. His junior season numbers were eye-popping: 1,460 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 174 carries, plus 19 catches for 198 yards and four more scores. That kind of dual-threat ability is exactly what modern offenses crave.
Segarra isn’t just explosive-he’s efficient. He runs with vision, patience, and a burst that makes defenders pay for even the slightest hesitation. And with a visit to Columbia scheduled for Junior Day on Saturday, the Gamecocks will have another opportunity to make their pitch in person.
Looking Ahead: Official Visits on the Calendar
Both backs have locked in official visits to South Carolina. Gibson will be on campus the weekend of June 5, while Segarra is set to visit the weekend of June 19.
Those dates are already circled on the calendar in Columbia, and for good reason. Landing either of these in-state backs would be a win for the Gamecocks-but pulling off a sweep?
That could be a game-changer for the 2027 class.
With Beamer and his staff continuing to emphasize in-state recruiting, these visits are more than just check-ins-they’re part of a broader strategy to keep elite South Carolina talent home. And with Gibson and Segarra, the Gamecocks are in the mix for two of the best.