Two of the three new coaches hired by South Carolina coach Shane Beamer last week are on the job, calling recruits and getting to know their new targets for 2027. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, for example, offered QB Weston Nielsen (6-2 180) of Bastrop, TX on Monday.
New running backs coach Stan Drayton, however, will be with Penn State through the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson on December 27th, so his focus has been on the Nittany Lions and won’t turn to Gamecock recruiting until after that game.
The Gamecock recruiting office, however, is not letting running back targets, like Aiden Gibson of Woodruff, slip through the cracks during the transition period.
“I talked to Zach Propp today, and he said Coach Drayton is highly interested in my film, and I’m highly interested in him overall as a coach,” Gibson said. “I know that he’s recruited some very good running backs, and out some very good running back talent. I’m looking forward to seeing what he is going to do overall with me, and I’m ready to build a relationship with him.”
While he hasn’t talked with Beamer recently, Gibson said he has heard from the head coach.
“Coach Beamer sent me just a happy birthday wish a few days ago, but that was the only thing that I have talked to him about,” Gibson said. “I had been communicating with him, and he said, how is everything going and stuff like that. I’ve just been letting them get situated and do what they have to do.”
Evaluating coaches is not really Gibson’s thing. It really works the other way around. However, he thinks Beamer got it right with his three new hires.
“I think it’s great,” Gibson said. “I think Coach Drayton and the offensive coordinator are really good coaches. I think they are going to come in and make a really big difference this year at South Carolina, and that’s something I’m looking forward to for the next few years that’s coming.”
Gibson recently named a top nine of USC, Maryland, Rutgers, Appalachian State, NC State, Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Indiana. In January, he plans to take visits to USC, Maryland, Tennessee and Florida State.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a number one. I’m putting all my eggs in every basket,” Gibson said. “It’s all going to depend on who really recruits me hard now that the season is over, and who recruits me hard overall. I just really want the whole staff to recruit me. I want to know everybody when I get there. I want to make it known that everybody knows me.”
One other decision to be made by Gibson in the near future will be on an agent. He said that’s something that he and his family are discussing at this time.
This season, Gibson rushed for 1284 yards and 19 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1555 yards and 27 touchdowns.