South Carolina has long been a hotbed for college football talent, producing some of the best players in the country. Over the years, the state has had a number of landmark recruiting victories that significantly impacted college football programs. Some of these players became stars at the collegiate level, while others went on to make their mark in the NFL. The following list will examine the top five biggest recruiting wins in South Carolina history, highlighting the players who shaped the future of their respective programs and had a lasting impact on the sport.
1. Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina) – 2011
Jadeveon Clowney is undoubtedly one of the most influential players in South Carolina football history. The defensive end from Rock Hill, South Carolina, was a generational talent whose commitment to the Gamecocks in 2011 was one of the biggest recruiting wins in the history of college football. Clowney was the number one overall recruit in the 2011 class, and his recruitment was widely covered by national media outlets. His combination of size, speed, and explosiveness off the edge was unmatched, and it became clear early on that Clowney would be a game-changer at the collegiate level.
Clowney’s recruitment came down to a handful of schools, including Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia, but he ultimately chose to stay in-state and play for South Carolina. The Gamecocks had been a competitive team under head coach Steve Spurrier, but Clowney’s commitment was the spark that elevated the program into national prominence. His decision to play for South Carolina was seen as a significant boost for the Gamecocks’ recruiting efforts moving forward.
Over the course of his three years at South Carolina, Clowney became a force to be reckoned with. He recorded 13 sacks in his sophomore season, and his famous hit in the 2013 Outback Bowl against Michigan is still talked about as one of the most iconic plays in college football history. Clowney’s impact on the field was undeniable, and his commitment to South Carolina elevated the program to new heights. He would eventually go on to be the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, selected by the Houston Texans.
Clowney’s recruiting win was a monumental moment for South Carolina football. It not only solidified the program as a national contender but also proved that the Gamecocks could compete with the top-tier programs in college football for elite talent.
2. Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina) – 2010
Another huge recruiting victory for South Carolina came in 2010 when Marcus Lattimore, a five-star running back from Duncan, South Carolina, committed to the Gamecocks. Lattimore was considered one of the best running back prospects in recent memory, and his recruitment was a massive win for Steve Spurrier and his staff. At the time, South Carolina had a solid program but was still looking to make the leap to national relevance, and Lattimore’s commitment was a big step toward achieving that goal.
Lattimore’s impact on the Gamecocks was immediate. As a freshman, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as one of the top running backs in the country. His ability to break tackles, change direction on a dime, and find the end zone made him one of the most electrifying players in college football. Over his three years at South Carolina, Lattimore became the centerpiece of the offense, and his contributions helped the Gamecocks achieve their first-ever SEC East title in 2010.
Unfortunately, Lattimore’s career was marred by a series of knee injuries that ultimately forced him to retire from football after his junior season. Despite these setbacks, Lattimore’s legacy at South Carolina is cemented. His recruitment signaled a shift in the program’s trajectory, and his on-field production helped solidify South Carolina as a force in the SEC. Lattimore’s commitment was a defining moment for the Gamecocks and a huge win for the state of South Carolina in the recruiting world.
3. DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) – 2010
While South Carolina had its share of recruiting wins, Clemson also had a few significant victories in the state. One of the most important of these was the recruitment of DeAndre Hopkins, a wide receiver from Central, South Carolina, who committed to the Tigers in 2010. Hopkins was regarded as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country and had the potential to become a game-changing playmaker at the next level.
Hopkins’ recruitment was closely watched by both Clemson and South Carolina fans, with both programs vying for the talented wideout. Hopkins’ decision to play for Clemson was seen as a major victory for the Tigers, as it solidified their status as one of the premier programs in the ACC. His commitment to Clemson also helped solidify their position as a powerhouse in South Carolina, and it marked the beginning of the program’s rise to national prominence under head coach Dabo Swinney.
During his time at Clemson, Hopkins lived up to the hype. He was a dynamic receiver who could stretch the field and make plays in all areas of the game. In 2011, he was a key contributor to the Tigers’ ACC Championship win, and his performances in big games helped elevate the team to new heights. Hopkins was drafted in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, and he has since become one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
Hopkins’ recruitment was a huge win for Clemson, as it solidified their position as one of the top programs in the country and helped lay the foundation for future success. His decision to stay in-state and play for the Tigers was a defining moment in Clemson’s rise to prominence.
4. Spencer Rattler (South Carolina) – 2022
In 2022, South Carolina pulled off one of its most significant recruiting victories in recent memory when it landed quarterback Spencer Rattler from Oklahoma. Rattler, a former five-star prospect and the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners, transferred to South Carolina after a tumultuous season in Norman. His arrival in Columbia was seen as a game-changing moment for the Gamecocks, who had struggled at the quarterback position for years.
Rattler’s commitment to South Carolina was a significant win for head coach Shane Beamer, who had already shown promise in his early years with the program. Landing a quarterback of Rattler’s caliber not only raised the profile of the Gamecocks’ offense but also sent a message that South Carolina was serious about competing at the highest level. Rattler’s experience and talent provided a much-needed boost to a South Carolina team that was on the rise but lacked a true star at quarterback.
In his first season at South Carolina, Rattler showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the Gamecocks’ stunning victories over Tennessee and Clemson. His ability to make big plays in high-pressure situations gave South Carolina a new sense of confidence and belief. Although Rattler’s time at South Carolina has been a work in progress, his recruitment was undoubtedly one of the biggest wins in the history of the program and a testament to Beamer’s ability to attract top-tier talent.
5. Travis Etienne (Clemson) – 2017
Another massive recruiting win for Clemson came in 2017 when running back Travis Etienne, one of the top prospects in the nation, chose to play for the Tigers. Etienne, a Louisiana native, was originally committed to the University of Tennessee before ultimately flipping to Clemson. His commitment to the Tigers proved to be a crucial moment in the program’s rise to national prominence under Dabo Swinney.
Etienne’s recruitment was an intense battle between some of the top programs in the country, but Clemson’s combination of talent, coaching, and success ultimately won him over. Etienne became one of the most dominant running backs in college football, setting numerous records at Clemson and leading the Tigers to a national championship in 2018. His explosive playmaking ability and consistent production helped elevate Clemson to new heights, and his recruitment marked the beginning of a new era of dominance for the Tigers.
Etienne finished his career at Clemson with over 4,000 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns, and he became one of the most accomplished running backs in college football history. He was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he has continued to impress. His recruitment to Clemson was a pivotal moment for the program, and his success solidified his status as one of the best players in the school’s history.
South Carolina has seen its fair share of massive recruiting victories, with players like Jadeveon Clowney, Marcus Lattimore, and Spencer Rattler making major impacts on their respective programs. These recruiting wins not only elevated the profiles of the teams they joined but also helped reshape the landscape of college football. Whether it was South Carolina landing homegrown stars or Clemson snatching up national talent, these moments have had a lasting impact on the state’s football culture and the national football scene.
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