Two 4-star South Carolina football targets announce commitments to rival programs

South Carolina football is starting the most crucial stretch of days on the 2024 recruiting calendar. The Gamecocks have at least 9 recruiting targets making their college decisions public between July 20th and August 3rd, and Shane Beamer and his coaching staff are in a good position to land a few of them.

On Saturday, the first two of these targets made their public commitments as 4-star EDGE Bryce Davis (Greensboro, North Carolina) and 4-star offensive lineman Cortez Smith (Lilburn, Georgia) revealed their pledges.

Davis, who was deciding among a top-4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Georgia Bulldogs, Duke Blue Devils, and Clemson Tigers, committed to Dabo Swinney’s program. While Georgia was viewed by many as the favorite for much of Davis’ recruitment, South Carolina, Clemson, and Duke made big pushes in recent weeks, and the Tigers emerged to land the talented defensive lineman.

Smith, though, had a little bit more straightforward recruitment. With finalists of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and Miami Hurricanes, Smith has been considered a heavy lean to the in-state Bulldogs for some time. Carolina gave him something to think about, but Saturday’s commitment came through for Georgia, nonetheless.

Coming soon, major South Carolina football targets like Lagonza Hayward (4-star safety), Jared Smith (5-star EDGE), Juan Gaston (4-star offensive lineman), Jaylen Gilchrist (4-star offensive lineman), Kendall Daniels (4-star safety), and Malik Clark (4-star wide receiver) are among the other high school recruits who are considering the Gamecocks and announcing their decisions soon. In each battle, USC is up against at least one perennial power, but reading the recruiting tea leaves, it seems likely that Carolina will earn commitments from at least a couple of these prospects.

The South Carolina football coaching staff have their program ranked 26th (On3) and 28th (247Sports) in the primary team recruiting rankings. Those rankings could rocket upward over the next couple of weeks if things go well for the Gamecocks.