South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer has had great success with recruiting in June during his tenure as head coach, and this upcoming June could be another crucial month. Elite offensive lineman Darius Gray is scheduled to take an official visit to Columbia during that time, as reported by On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Tuesday afternoon.
Gray’s official visit schedule also includes stops at Clemson (May 31st-June 2nd), Tennessee (June 7th-9th), LSU (June 14th-16th), and Penn State (June 21st-23rd). If no additional visits are added, South Carolina will have the final opportunity to host Gray. The 6’3″, 285-pound lineman has already visited the Gamecocks unofficially over ten times.
A product of St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Virginia, Gray adds to South Carolina’s growing presence in the Old Dominion. The Gamecocks have successfully recruited three Virginia players in the past two cycles, including two 4-star prospects.
On3 sees Gray as a potential 5-star recruit. Although he is currently rated as a 4-star, he ranks as the No. 25 overall recruit in the country, placing him solidly in 5-star range. He is also the No. 2 player from Virginia and the No. 4 interior offensive lineman in the class.
Gray earned his selection to the Navy All-American Bowl as a junior, following a standout performance in 2024. He is regarded as one of the top run blockers in the nation, thanks to his remarkable strength and athleticism. In fact, much of his available film showcases him playing on the defensive line and even earning double-doubles for the St. Christopher’s basketball team.
South Carolina has been a strong contender in Gray’s recruitment for some time. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently has USC in the lead. GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark also listed Gray as one of his “best bets” for the class of 2026.
In his recruitment, Gray has highlighted South Carolina, Tennessee, LSU, Penn State, and Virginia as schools standing out to him. He is also being pursued by Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia Tech.
Gray recently shared his thoughts on the Gamecocks with On3, saying, “My favorite thing is the people there… They’re doing everything the right way. They’re really starting to get the things they want and that’s winning a lot of games. It’s great to see them get what they want and [them] doing it the right way. The main thing is the people there. That’s the biggest thing.”
So far in the 2026 class, the Gamecocks have secured five commitments, including All-American safety J’Zavien Currence, tight end Jamel Howse, EDGE/linebacker Keenan Britt, defensive back Peyton Dyer, and offensive lineman Anthony Baxter, all of whom pledged to the program in 2024.
