Thoughts on South Carolina’s 2025 class members
It’s only mid-August, so there are months left to go in the 2025 recruiting cycle for South Carolina football.
Shane Beamer has 19 prospects verbally committed in the class. Exclusively for members, GamecockCentral.com is giving some thoughts on each of them here.
EDGE Anthony Addison
The Palmetto State product first caught our attention two summers ago in camp, when he turned in nice pass-rushing performances during the one-on-one sessions. He’s “undersized” in terms of being a true EDGE, but he has a quick first step and is tough.
One of many interesting linebacker prospects in this class, Alston looks a bit more like a potential EDGE. South Carolina likes him as an outside linebacker type. Current Gamecock defender Bam Martin-Scott may be a decent comparison. He’s also bigger than his listed weight, checking in at over 230 pounds currently.
WR Lex Cyrus
He is listed at 5-foot-10, so he doesn’t have elite size. What he does have is a lot of speed, having run a 10.41 second 100-meter dash time. The state track and field champion is more than just a guy who can run fast, though. He has been very productive at the high school level: 67 catches for 1,115 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Cyrus looks to be a good route-runner on film and also has nice after-the-catch skills.
Nick Emmanwori could be off to the pros after this season, and Daniels may remind some of him. He has legitimate size at 6-foot-3 and 187 pounds and brings range and physicality to the safety position. He also plays on an outstanding high school football team.
Gamecock fans like guys from Havelock (North Carolina), and Darden is the latest. He’s one of the most physically impressive guys in the class and looks like he could do some different things on defense. At 6-foot-4, 225-pounds, he has both coverage and pass-rush ability.
EDGE Jaquavious Dodd
Still a raw player without a lot of experience in football, Dodd is one of those guys that has a lot of athletics traits that can be molded. He did have 13 sacks last season, so there is production at at that level to match the potential. He’s a potential high-reward type of guy.
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From a size standpoint, this Florida product may look more like an h-back type on the hoof. He is an interesting player because he does has receiver skills – 9 touchdowns through the air as a junior – but also is a willing blocker. Douglas plays outside linebacker, too, and says he “loves” hitting people. That should endear him to tight ends coach Shawn Elliott.
LS Kyler Farrow
It says something that the South Carolina staff deemed a long snapper worthy of a scholarship right out of high school. The Gamecocks lose all-SEC snapper Hunter Rogers after this season, so it makes sense. Still, you need to be talented to not be a preferred walk-on at a spot like this. Farrow has tested very well in terms of snap speed and accuracy and ranks among the nation’s best by Kohl’s Kicking.
The under-the-radar Peach State product fits the mold of what Torrian Gray looks for in his defensive backs. He’s long at 6-foot-3, and you get the sense that Gray can really continue to develop him. He is on the board as a safety and looks like a rangy player on film.
LB AJ Holloway
In a class that’s heavier on numbers at this position from the high school ranks, Holloway looks to be one of the more physically advanced commitments. He could certainly pass for a player already in college with his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame. He plays strong competition in the state of Georgia and is a bit more of a “throwback”, MIKE linebacker type.
It wouldn’t be a shock if South Carolina gave Holman a look at running back – he plays it in high school and has Power 4 offers at the position. Regardless, the state track champion has major potential because he can run for his size. On defense, it would be all about continuing to learn the nuances of the position – probably linebacker – in the SEC. Major upside here.
The Gamecocks have a preseason kicking battle going on in camp right now, and it’s a competition that figures to be open again next season. Could Kelley compete there? Probably so. He has a good bit of potential because of his leg strength, which Kohl’s Kicking has said is “huge” on kickoffs during their charting sessions. Kelley punted and kicked last season for his high school team and was 9 of 12 with a 45 yard long.
More size at the safety position for Torrian Gray. This Abbeville product has some toughness to him and is working on growing the coverage portion of his game as well. GamecockCentral.com has spoken with his defensive backs trainer, Kevin Washington, and he is quite high on Leach’s future.
WR Brian Rowe
Yes, Rowe will need to add weight to his frame and get stronger at the college level. But he can run, is an outstanding leaper, and has ball skills. He’s already a productive player and it looks like he can only get better.
EDGE Kobby Sakyi-Prah
Potential is the word that comes to mind when thinking of this Roswell (Georgia) defender. He’s still relatively new to football, and a lot of what he does at the high school level is on pure athleticism. He has a long wingspan, plenty of room to grow, and he’s athletic. Sure, he’s raw, but it does give Sterling Lucas a nice canvas to work with once he gets to Columbia.
OL Shed Sarratt
As we know, offensive line is a developmental position. To that end, Sarratt may be a couple years away, but there’s a good bit to like. He looks like a future guard who can move his feet (he plays basketball as well), and carried a nice offer list out of Gaffney.
The South Florence standout suffered an injury last season that caused him to miss most of the season, but he will be back in action as a senior. Sellers plays bigger than his size, can run, and has ball skills.
This is a 6-foot-6 prospect who’s fast-twitch and had offers to play offensive tackle out of high school, too. Defensive tackle is a priority position this offseason, so Williams is a really good get from the state of Virginia. Talking to some familiar with his game, he’s only going to get better.
QB Cutter Woods
South Carolina got several looks at Woods dating back to last season and pulled the trigger to flip him from Wake Forest. He throws a nice ball and had a huge year as a junior in leading Westside to a come-from-behind state championship. He’s a gritty, gamer type who also has some mobility in his skill set.
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