South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer is very familiar with former Gamecock star defensive end Devin Taylor. Recruited out of Beaufort in 2008, Taylor went on to have a stellar career with the Gamecocks that led to the NFL. Beamer was an assistant coach with the Gamecocks during Taylor’s time in Columbia.
Taylor’s family gene lines apparently are pretty good, because on Sunday, Beamer and new offensive line coach Randy Clements offered his nephew, OT Adrian Lamb (6-5 295) of Beaufort and Georgia Military College. The offer came at the conclusion of an official visit, which came after Lamb improved his GPA to a level where major programs were ready to offer.
“They hit me up and set up a visit time and brought me in,” Lamb said. “I saw all the coaches and talked with Coach Clements. I had a good conversation with him. We talked about the academics I need to work on so I can get my GPA up. The team had a 3.2 all-around semester in the fall, so I’m trying to get my GPA up just like the team’s. “They said they could see me fitting in very well. I’d describe my performance as very skilled, and I’ve got a little power technique to me.”
Because of the family ties to the program through his uncle, Lamb said the offer from the Gamecocks was pretty special.
“It’s got a little heart to me,” Lamb said. “Having my uncle, Devin Taylor, he was a legend growing up to me. He played D-end and went to the league and played for the Lions. I looked up to him growing up.”
Before visiting South Carolina, Lamb made an official visit to Alabama mid-week, and the Crimson Tide offered as well. Obviously, he was impressed with what he saw in Tuscaloosa.
“Alabama, you know, Tuscaloosa, it was awesome,” he said. “The stadium was very big. Coming from the JUCO side to going to the SEC, it’s kind of crazy.”
At this point, Lamb has one more official visit scheduled, and that’s to Missouri on January 31st. Unless some other options develop, he’ll make his decision after that and sign on February 4th.
Lamb was part of two of the best teams in recent history at Beaufort High, playing in back-to-back state championship games, and winning the 3A title in 2022 for the school’s first championship since 1945.