STRecruiting: South Carolina sits in good position with Virginia offensive lineman making his first game visit this Saturday

South Carolina offensive line coach Randy Clements landed a big fish for the 2026 class when he signed OL Darius Gray, who has become an immediate starter. Clements has gone back into Richmond hoping to land another top offensive lineman in the 2027 class in Jarmel Powell (6-5 310).

Clements visited Powell last spring and offered him in May. Powell said that was the beginning of a growing relationship between the two.

“It goes back to like May when I first talked to Coach Clem,” Powell said. “He came in here and just told me what it was like, what he sees in me, what he wants out of me. And ever since then, I’ve just been building great relationships with them. And I just love it.”

Powell followed up that May visit from Clements by attending a big man’s camp that the Gamecocks put on during the summer. There, he got the chance to perform in front of Clements and also experience some of his coaching techniques.

“I like how he knows what he wants from his guys,” Powell said. “I feel like he’s building something great down there. I love his coaching style. He’s very calm, very chill, but when he wants to turn it up, he will turn it up. I do love how he coaches and how he handles everything as a coach.”

Powell went to a game earlier this season at Virginia Tech, and that was his first ever college game in person. So, this Saturday will be his first time watching the Gamecocks in person, and he’s looking forward to experiencing a day and night in Williams-Brice Stadium.

“I want to feel the energy and see great football,” he said. “I love football. I’ve been loving football since I was five years old. I want to watch some good football, watch a great game. And I just want to see them win.

This visit to USC won’t be the last for Powell. In fact, it’s a place he just might call home in a few months.

“They are my number one right now. I still haven’t decided where I want to go yet, but they’re my number one right now,” Powell said. “Right now my number two is Virginia Tech. My number three is Syracuse. I’m still thinking about what I want to do with my life and moving forward.”

Powell plans to visit Appalachian State next weekend and said that it will probably be his final game visit for the season. He wants to take official visits next year and then make his decision before the start of his senior season.

Powell also has offers from Penn State, East Carolina, Syracuse, Maryland, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.