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South Carolina Football: 3 biggest 2021 offseason questions for Gamecocks

By Michael Hanich

Oct 10, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Kevin Harris (20) celebrates with South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Nick Muse (9) after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Kevin Harris (20) celebrates with South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Nick Muse (9) after a touchdown during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 15: Assistant head coach Shane Beamer of the Oklahoma Sooners coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 15, 2018, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma Sooners won 37-27 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

3. Will Shane Beamer push for better recruiting?

While Will Muschamp was not the elite head coach that he was thought to become with South Carolina, he was a solid recruiter. In his five years as head coach, Muschamp reeled in top 25 recruiting classes, according to 247Sports. Despite the top 25 ranking, the Gamecocks have never achieved a better SEC standing than seventh overall.

The Gamecocks have been able to attract some high-profile recruits but their impact on the field has not been able to translate in the SEC East standings. During the Muschamp era, the Gamecocks have been able to pull big names like Javon Kinlaw, Bryan Edwards, Hayden Hurst, D.J. Wonnum and Jake Bentley. Kinlaw, Edwards and Wonnum were undervalued recruits in the state of South Carolina.

Throughout the next couple of seasons, the Gamecocks were pulling in more four-star recruits with eight in two of the last three seasons. The most concerning factor of the recruiting process for USC is the utilization of these high-profile players past the 2016 recruiting class.

In the first recruiting class of Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks are currently ranked 88th in the nation overall and 14th (last) in the SEC. The Gamecocks currently have five early enrollees and four prospects that have signed letters of intent. They currently have no prospects, outside of Nebraska defensive tackle transfer Jahkeem Green, who are listed by 247Sports as four-star prospects.

Beamer is a former Gamecock coach of four seasons, a royalty of the state of Virginia as the son of Frank Beamer and a former NC State player. He is a coach that has extensive knowledge of the three neighboring states. New offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield is the former assistant offensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers.

Former Wolfpack player and coach, as well as former defensive coordinator/cornerback coach for Western Kentucky, Clayton White, will look to contribute heavily in the recruiting landscape.