The South Carolina Gamecocks are wasting no time getting their 2026 recruiting class up to speed. With spring practice set to kick off on March 4, 12 of the 17 signees from this cycle are already on campus and ready to get to work. Early enrollment is a big deal in today’s college football landscape-it gives these young players a head start on learning the playbook, adjusting to the speed of the college game, and building chemistry with their new teammates.
Five members of the class-offensive lineman Darius Gray, wide receiver Sequel Patterson, tight end Caden Ramsey, defensive back KJ Johnson, and long snapper Matthew Oh-will join the program this summer, but the rest are already in Columbia, getting their first taste of life as Gamecocks.
The early enrollees bring a mix of size, athleticism, and positional versatility that should excite South Carolina fans. Here's a quick look at the newcomers and their listed measurables:
- QB Landon Duckworth: 6-foot-4, 210 pounds - A big-bodied quarterback with the frame to grow and the arm talent to compete early.
- DB J'Zavien Currence: 6-foot-4, 210 - Rare length for a defensive back, which could make him a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses.
- WR Stone Furrey: 5-foot-10, 185 - A compact, quick target who could carve out a role in the slot.
- DB Triston Lewis: 6-foot-2, 207 - Brings size and physicality to the secondary.
- LB Keenan Britt: 6-foot, 238 - Built like a traditional thumper in the middle, Britt looks ready to contribute in run defense.
- DB Kosci Barnes: 6-foot-2, 206 - Another long, athletic defensive back with upside.
- LB Andrew Harris: 6-foot-2, 240 - A rangy linebacker who can cover ground and bring the heat.
- OL Anthony Baxter: 6-foot-4, 340 - A mountain of a man up front, Baxter is built to anchor the interior line.
- DT Noah Clark: 6-foot-5, 340 - Massive frame with the potential to be a disruptive force in the trenches.
- OL Zyon Guiles: 6-foot-5, 305 - Long and lean for a lineman, with room to add strength.
- DT Aiden Harris: 6-foot-2, 284 - Stout and powerful, Harris adds depth to the defensive front.
- EDGE Julian Walker: 6-foot-6, 250 - A prototype edge rusher with length, bend, and explosiveness.
This group headlines a 17-man recruiting class that includes one five-star prospect in Gray and at least eight four-star talents, depending on the recruiting service. According to the 247Sports Composite, 10 of the signees are rated as four-stars, highlighting the depth and quality of this class.
And the talent isn’t just on paper. Nine of these players are ranked in the Top247, a strong indicator of how this group stacks up nationally. That list includes:
- Darius Gray - No. 15 overall
- Julian Walker - No.
40
- J'Zavien Currence - No.
77
- Aiden Harris - No.
85
- Noah Clark - No.
138
- Kosci Barnes - No.
143
- Landon Duckworth - No.
154
- Zyon Guiles - No.
176
- Sequel Patterson - No.
234
Head coach Shane Beamer didn’t hold back his excitement on National Signing Day back on December 3. “We got better today as a football team,” Beamer said.
“There's no question about it. Really fired up about not just the talent of the players that we brought in, but the kind of people they are.”
That last part matters. Beamer made it clear that this class isn’t just about star ratings and highlight reels-it’s about character, culture, and fit. “This is not a huge class,” he added, “but if you talk about quality over quantity, we absolutely hit the mark on that.”
And that’s the key takeaway here. South Carolina may not have brought in the biggest class in the country, but they landed a group that fits what Beamer is building: tough, talented, high-character players who can grow into difference-makers. With spring ball just around the corner, we’ll get our first look at how these early enrollees stack up-and which of them might be ready to make an impact sooner rather than later.