The South Carolina football program Wednesday picked up another public commitment from last weekend’s official visits. TE Preston Douglas (6-4 220) of North Palm Beach, FL announced his pledge, one he made to head coach Shane Beamer Saturday night while on his official visit.
Tight ends coach Shawn Elliott made a couple of visits to see Douglas, and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains also went down for a visit with Douglas and his parents. Douglas later visited the Gamecocks for a spring practice in April.
“I’m extremely excited to join the Gamecock family,” Douglas said. “Ever since my unofficial visit, these coaches made me feel at home. I believe they can take my game and maximize it and ultimately get me to the next level. I loved going to Coach Beamers house and spending time with the coaches and meeting the players. I also loved just being with the staff and growing the relationship.”
Douglas was limited to six games last season due to a broken collarbone. Before going down with the injury, Douglas totaled 450 receiving yards with four touchdowns. He considers himself a hybrid tight end, and Elliott sees him in that role as well.
“He (Elliott) just thinks I’m a pretty complete player,” Douglas said last month. “A great blocker but I have really good skill in the pass game. I’m not like many other tight ends out there that are a bunch of tall walls. I’m more of a receiver type guy but have a linebacker’s background, so can be a little nasty too. He likes me as a person, and he likes my family. That all comes with it. He really thinks I’m a good fit for South Carolina.”
NC State was the other program Douglas seriously considered and he was scheduled to visit there this coming weekend. In the spring, he also visited State, Wake Forest, Syracuse and USF. Also among his offers were Maryland, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Syracuse and Indiana.
Douglas is the tenth commitment for the Gamecocks’ 2025 class and the third on the offensive side of the ball.