This weekend’s game against LSU has the biggest potential of any recruiting weekend on South Carolina's schedule.
Alexander: FACT. The combination of names on campus, especially 2026 standouts such as receivers Jordon Gidron and Donovan Murph, offensive lineman Darius Gray, defensive back Samari Matthews and elite defensive ends Deuce Geralds and Rodney Dunham, along with the importance of the game, makes it an essential recruiting weekend. The addition of College GameDay in the mix, and an opportunity to knock off a top-25 conference opponent at home to start the season 3-0 means that the stadium will be full and loud and an ideal environment to show young recruits.
The issue? South Carolina has to deliver, and at the very least keep this a fourth-quarter game with the crowd engaged throughout. If it comes out and lays an egg, it could easily have the opposite of the intended effect.
Spiegelman: FACT. South Carolina has some huge games on the schedule, but let's live in the moment for just a second. Shane Beamer's team caught the attention of the entire SEC and the country by beating Kentucky convincingly last weekend on the road, and now Williams-Brice will be the stage to College GameDay and a massive recruiting weekend for the South Carolina staff, including several local targets in the 2025 and 2026 cycles and also some national targets. The Gamecocks are getting some familiar names back on campus – Samari Matthews and in-state targets Jordon Gidron, Desmond Green, Jamel Howse, Donovan Murph, Zyon Guiles, Jaylen McGill and Malcolm Gaston. A great environment and strong showing on the field could yield major returns on the recruiting trail down the road.
https://n.rivals.com/news/fact-or-fiction-texas-is-leading-for-five-star-javion-hilson
