2024 4-star ATH Mazeo Bennett commits to South Carolina: 'We're going to the top'

When Greenville (S.C.) four-star athlete Mazeo Bennett was committed to Tennessee, South Carolina never stopped recruiting him. If he did not stick with the Volunteers, Bennett “knew for a fact” that he would end up with the Gamecocks.

Less than two months after Bennett’s decommitment from Tennessee, that exact scenario has happened. He announced his pledge to South Carolina on Friday, just days after privately committing to head coach Shane Beamer on a visit to Columbia.

“I just told him straight up, ‘I don’t see myself playing at any other school but South Carolina,'” Bennett told On3. “The consistency that South Carolina has had recruiting me is second to none. I want to come home. I want to be at home and play for my home state and be a part of coach Beamer’s program. It’s on the rise.”

Bennett is the Gamecocks’ fourth top-150 commitment since Jan. 22. With Bennett and Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland four-star offensive tackle Kam Pringle in the fold, Beamer and his staff have pledges from two of the top three players in South Carolina.

“South Carolina’s going to the top,” said Bennett, the No. 199 overall prospect and No. 20 athlete in the 2024 On3 Consensus. “We’re not trying to get high on anybody’s board. We’re just going to do us, keep our heads down, keep grinding and we’re going to the top. South Carolina’s gonna be the team to deal with these few years coming up. The culture that’s in the program right now, it’s just love and that’s what we’re going to take to the top.”

South Carolina’s coaches made Bennett feel like a priority

Throughout his recruitment, Bennett built a close relationship with Beamer. He is able to sit down with the Gamecocks’ head man and talk about anything.

“He made it known that he wants me in his program,” Bennett said. “He wants to be the one to be able to coach me. He wants me in his program because he knows what it means to not only the football team, but the whole state. Him emphasizing the fact that he wants the best in the state to go to the best school in the state, it’s crazy to me.”

Bennett added that Beamer is “the most down-to-earth, genuine guy that you will ever meet.” In addition to his future head coach, wide receivers coach Justin Stepp played a big part in his recruitment.

According to the four-star, Stepp is his “ride or die” and made him feel like a top target for South Carolina. He also liked how Stepp has helped multiple players reach the NFL.

“I just really see myself playing for him and I want to trust the process with him to get me to my final destination,” Bennett said.

Bennett ‘feels amazing’ to be a Gamecock

Bennett has made numerous visits to Columbia. Greenville is less than a two hour drive from South Carolina’s campus.

The four-star can sense special around the Gamecocks’ facility. He has recognized that Beamer is not only recruiting great players, but also great people.

“It’s that feeling in your gut when you walk in the building that’s, ‘Man, this is home,'” Bennett said. “It’s not anything that anybody says to us. It’s a feeling that you feel when you walk into the building. It’s the atmosphere around the place. You just feel like it’s home.”

Right now, Bennett is thrilled about the opportunity to suit up for South Carolina. He called it “amazing to be able to put on for your state” and play in front of the Gamecocks’ passionate fans.

The 5-foot-11.5, 175-pound recruit already has a list of players he plans to recruit to South Carolina’s 2024 class. They include Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star running back Anthony Carrie, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson four-star tight end Kylan Fox and Burlington (N.C.) Hugh M. Cummings four-star wide receiver Jonathan Paylor.

“It feels amazing just to be able to satisfy this fan base that’s been working their tail off to get me down there,” Bennett said. “To be able to tell coach Stepp that I’m coming to play for him is just an amazing feeling.”