Shane Beamer sends a message to recruits ahead of season opener

Shane Beamer has a message for local recruits regarding their weekend plans in September.

In his weekly press conference Tuesday, the South Carolina football coach pointed out that Clemson, Georgia, UNC and Tennessee do not have home games on Saturday, Sept. 3 when the Gamecocks hold their season opener — a 7 p.m. game against Georgia State.

Clemson opens its season on Monday, Sept. 5 on the road against Georgia Tech, while Tennessee hosts Ball State on Thursday, Sept. 1. UNC opens at home this Saturday, but will visit Appalachian State on Sept. 3. Georgia plays in Atlanta against Oregon on Sept. 3, but still away from its home stadium.

The Gamecocks program will debut new LED stadium lights and other improvements on Sept. 3.

“So, recruits, you want to come see a college football game next Saturday night?” Beamer said. “Columbia, South Carolina is a fantastic place to be on a Saturday night. Really looking forward to seeing a lot of you guys in Columbia when we kick things off next Saturday.”

In the last few days, USC landed four-star defensive linemen Xzavier McLeod and Zavion Hardy for the class of 2023. This brought the Gamecocks to five new recruits in the month of August.

South Carolina ranks 16th on 247Sports’ Composite team rankings for the class of 2023. The program is also eyeing four-star defensive end Desmond Umeozulu, who will announce his commitment Monday.

“Continuing a lot of great momentum from a recruiting standpoint over the weekend,” Beamer said. “Will continue to be a major point of emphasis for us going forward, but love where we are from a recruiting standpoint.”

South Carolina plays Georgia at home on Sept. 17, Tennessee at home on Nov. 19 and visits Clemson on Nov. 26.