Shane Beamer and Torrian Gray are putting in early groundwork for one of South Carolina’s top defensive back targets in the 2027 class - and they’re making it personal.
On Tuesday night, Jayden Aparicio-Bailey, a promising safety out of Prattville, Alabama, shared a photo with both Gamecock coaches alongside his family. That kind of face-to-face attention isn’t just about showing interest - it’s about building trust, especially when the recruiting trail is already heating up for a player of Aparicio-Bailey’s caliber.
At 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Aparicio-Bailey brings size, length, and athleticism to the safety position - the kind of frame that makes college coaches take notice early. He’s currently ranked as the No. 32 safety in the 2027 cycle and sits at No. 11 overall in the state of Alabama, regardless of position. That’s no small feat in a state that churns out high-level talent year after year.
And South Carolina isn’t the only program knocking on his door.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and defensive backs coach Mike Reed have already stopped by Prattville High School, signaling serious interest from the Tigers. Alabama and Missouri were also in town this week, while Auburn, Ohio State, Texas, and Vanderbilt made their visits the week before. That’s a who’s who of college football powerhouses, all keeping close tabs on a rising junior who still has two full seasons of high school ball ahead of him.
Torrian Gray, South Carolina’s defensive backs coach, made his in-person visit on Monday, January 19 - just a day before Beamer joined him for the family meeting. That kind of tag-team approach speaks volumes about how highly the Gamecocks value Aparicio-Bailey, and how committed they are to getting in early with top-tier talent.
This isn’t the first time Aparicio-Bailey has been on South Carolina’s radar, either. He’s already been to Columbia a couple of times, including a visit last June during one of Beamer’s summer camp sessions.
While he didn’t participate in drills, he was there as an observer - getting a feel for the program, the coaching staff, and the campus environment. The Gamecocks extended a scholarship offer last May during the spring evaluation period, signaling early belief in his potential.
Make no mistake - this recruitment is just getting started. But with South Carolina showing this level of commitment in January of a prospect’s sophomore year, it’s clear they’re not waiting around to see how things develop. They’re making their pitch now, and doing it with a full-court press.
For Aparicio-Bailey, the attention is only going to intensify. But South Carolina has put itself firmly in the mix - and with Beamer and Gray leading the charge, the Gamecocks are making sure their presence is felt early and often.