Gamecocks first to offer North Carolina EDGE

Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks became the first program to step forward with an offer to a 2025 defender in North Carolina who’s becoming a name to know.

Henderson (North Carolina) Vance County’s Taeshawn Alston was the recipient.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound EDGE broke down how he learned the news and his immediate reaction during a conversation with GamecockCentral.com.

“It was big. When Coach White came to my school, he talked to my coach and I got a call back from my coach telling me to come back to the office,” said Alston. “He said they wanted to offer me. I was excited, it was just a big thing for me.”

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Liberty, Duke, North Carolina, and NC State are also showing interest in Alston. He believes that those four programs could all be the next to offer.

“They all really liked my film and stuff,” the rising junior said.

At the beginning of April, Alston was in town to watch a Gamecocks football practice and walked away impressed with what he saw.

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“It was a good practice. I liked their environment and their players’ energy,” he said. “I liked the coaches and the people showing me around the campus. I enjoyed myself up there. They showed a whole lot of love. It was like I belonged there.”

Last season, Alston tallied 67 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

What is he hoping to find in a college program?

“Education, I want the defense to fit me, and building a good relationship with the coaches,” he said.

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