South Carolina Football: The Gamecocks gain a four-star advantage against Palmetto State.
South Carolina football is having a strong recruiting week, with Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer posting three #WelcomeHome posts in the last four days. On Tuesday, 4-star wide receiver Brian Rowe announced his commitment to USC; on Wednesday, in-state safety Damarcus Leach disclosed his decision to the Gamecocks; and on Friday, Carolina supporters found the name of Beamer’s most recent commitment tease.
During most fans’ lunch break, Sumter outside linebacker/defensive end prospect Anthony Addison chose the South Carolina Gamecocks over the Tennessee Volunteers and Duke Blue Devils.
Addison is an athletic EDGE player who will most likely gain weight before becoming a full-time defensive end in college. There is a chance Addison will follow in the footsteps of fellow hybrid EDGE players Fred “JayR” Johnson and Wendell Gregory (both in the class of 2024) and begin his South Carolina football career at linebacker, but based on almost all of his high school experience, defensive end appears more likely.
As a pass rusher, Addison has a quick first step and straight-line speed, and when run plays get away from him, he is always a threat to follow down the ball carrier behind. Addison has plus-length arms and can disrupt offensive linemen’s hands and get around them to make a play.
The Sumter Gamecock is now in line to become a South Carolina Gamecock, becoming the second defensive player to pledge to the program in the 2025 recruiting class (after safety Damarcus Leach). He will join an EDGE team with a lot of young talent but will lose some seasoned contributors in the next year or two, opening up possible early playing time.