3-star IOL Blake Franks commits to South Carolina

Greenville (S.C.) three-star interior offensive lineman Blake Franks has announced his commitment to South Carolina. He chose the Gamecocks over Alabama, Clemson and Miami among others.

Franks is the No. 521 overall prospect and No. 36 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 7 player in South Carolina.

“I love it,” Franks told Wes Mitchell of GamecockCentral on Jan. 23 about his connection with South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley. “He is a cool guy and I know he deserved the promotion. I’m happy for him.”

Franks, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound recruit, is the latest member of the Gamecocks’ 2024 recruiting class. It also includes Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland four-star offensive tackle Kam Pringle, Greenville (S.C.) four-star athlete Mazeo Bennett, Marietta (Ga.) Walton four-star linebacker Wendell Gregory, Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School four-star tight end Michael Smith and Fiskdale (Mass.) The Loomis Chaffee School four-star quarterback Dante Reno.

For more South Carolina recruiting intel, check out GamecockCentral.

South Carolina is looking to continue in-state recruiting success

Following Franks’ commitment, South Carolina’s group remains No. 9 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It is also No. 5 in the SEC.

Head coach Shane Beamer and his staff now have pledges from three of the top seven players in South Carolina in Franks, Bennett and Pringle. Additionally, the Gamecocks have a 96.6% chance to land Dillon (S.C.) four-star offensive tackle Josiah Thompson, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Thompson, who is committing on April 14, is the No. 52 overall prospect and No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 2 player in South Carolina.

On3 rates Thompson higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is the No. 19 overall prospect, No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 1 player in South Carolina.

Thompson told On3’s Chad Simmons on Feb. 28 that he has visited Columbia “a million times.” The four-star is also impressed with how Beamer is turning around South Carolina.

“It really shows that they work really hard,” Thompson said. “Working with the 2024 class, they’ve got lots of bigger things in the future for them, so that’s what really comes to mind.”