South Carolina football has recruited a new class of 2025 freshmen, but this time they remain in-state.
On Friday, three-star edge rusher Anthony Addison announced his commitment to the Gamecocks on X, formerly known as Twitter. Addison, who attends Sumter High School, joins North Carolina three-star receiver Brian Rowe, a sophomore in the Class of 2025, who will commit to Shane Beamer and his staff this week.
Must read:South Carolina's Camila Cardoso's NCAA MVP performance may have changed WNBA draft predictions
He told On3 about his decision to stay home and play for the Gamecocks:
“I really like how they're going to use me. It's close to my house. It's only 50 minutes, so I think the whole family can come see me. Coach Beamer, he's been there for me. 'I'm going to go.' It's a place where the head coach believes in me and believes in what I can do,'' Addison said.
“I'm also confident that (South Carolina assistant) Coach (Sterling) Lucas will help me develop into an NFL player. I've seen him do that before. . They played a lot last year as true freshmen. That shows they believe in player development.”
Addison, who chose Shumcox over Duke, Tennessee and West Virginia, spoke heavily about the relationship he built with Beamer, saying it was the main reason for his commitment.
Must read:South Carolina women's basketball appears to have a solid roster again for the 2024-25 season under coach Dawn Staley.
“Even before I got the offer from South Carolina, he was always upfront about everything,” Addison said. “…Ever since I met him, I've seen nothing but good things about him. You can tell he's building something special. Last year, injuries derailed the team, but this… In the intervening years, he continued to make history with the Gamecocks.
“They beat Clemson. Every time I go there, he preaches he wants to win with the players from South Carolina. … For me growing up in South Carolina, when the head coach wants to win with you If you say that, it means a lot.”
Anthony Addison 247Sports Ranking
- Overall ranking: No.40 Edge Rusher
- South Carolina Rankings: 6th in state
Addison is a three-star recruit and is listed as the No. 40 EDGE rusher in the 2025 class, according to Sports Composite Rankings 247. He is listed as the No. 6 player in South Carolina behind Amare Adams, Marquise Henderson, Onis Kounambany, Malik Clark and La'Denian Martin. Adams and Henderson have both verbally committed to in-state rival Clemson.
South Carolina 247 Recruit Rankings for Class of 2025
- Ranking: No.41
- commit: three
Thanks to Addison's efforts, South Carolina ranks No. 41 in the 2025 freshman class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Addison joins Rowe in a recruiting class that includes fellow in-state recruits Jaden Sellers and Damarcus Leach.