South Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class has faced a setback just days before their biggest game of the season, as three-star tight end Preston Douglas announced on Halloween that he would be switching his commitment from the Gamecocks to NC State.
Douglas, who committed to South Carolina back in June, is the first tight end in this class, leaving the Gamecocks without any tight end commitments moving forward.
Despite this loss, it isn’t a major blow to the 2025 class, which already has 20 commitments, including five wide receivers. The absence of Douglas means South Carolina will need to focus on filling the tight end position in future recruiting efforts.
The 6-foot-3 Florida native plays both offense and defense for the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, where he has amassed 16 receptions for 225 yards and three touchdowns, along with 11 tackles and three sacks during his senior year.
On a positive note for South Carolina, they have not lost many recruits from this class, with Douglas being only the third player to decommit in recent months. He joins four-star cornerback Shamari Earls, who flipped to Georgia, and three-star linebacker Jaiden Baker, who committed to LSU.
Head coach Shane Beamer has been actively recruiting during the bye week, hoping to secure at least one tight end for the 2025 class or possibly flip another player’s commitment to the Gamecocks.
As the Gamecocks prepare to face Texas A&M this weekend, they will also be hosting potential recruits from both the 2025 and 2026 classes.
