Gamecock football lands four-star LB Wendell Gregory
Gamecock football’s 2024 class picked up yet another big-time commitment on Friday when four-star linebacker Wendell Gregory announced his commitment to Shane Beamer’s program.
“I’ve been talking with them since day one, literally. They were my first offer ever,” Gregory told GamecockCentral.com. “I’ve been keeping in contact. I’ve been up there multiple times.”
The Marietta (Georgia) Walton product chose South Carolina over scholarship offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Southern California, Tennessee, and numerous others.
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Although it is still relatively early from a calendar perspective for the junior prospect to make a verbal commitment, he was more than ready.
“It feels great. Recruiting is a mess. It takes a lot of effort. I’m glad it’s over with,” said Gregory. “I’m going to go back home.”
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Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Gregory was consistently impressed by Beamer and his staff’s approach to relationship building and coaching.
Said Gregory: “All the coaches bring you in and treat you like their sons, basically. I was in film watching film with some of the guys and coaches during bowl practice. They treat you how you want to be treated. It’s laughing, making comments, it’s fun. I say this to everybody: honestly, Coach Beamer is like a father figure. He talks to you like he’s known you forever. He knows how to speak, makes you feel like home. It’s an up and coming program; he’s making things special.”
Gregory adds to a 2024 Gamecock football class that is already ranked in the top ten nationally according to the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.
Quarterback Dante Reno committed to South Carolina last summer while offensive tackle Kam Pringle committed Sunday afternoon and tight end Michael Smith committed on Tuesday.
“It’s about to be a powerhouse,” said Gregory. “It’s about to be insane. All four-star recruits, all of us committed in a week. Dante’s been here for a while.”
A long, athletic, and rangy defender, Gregory brings a significant upside to the field for South Carolina.
“My best traits on the field are instincts, making plays quickly. I feel like I know where the play is going before it starts, read plays perfectly,” Gregory said. “I’m vocal as a leader of the team. I just have to bring that on to college.”
With that skill set, defensive coordinator and position coach Clayton White has a plan in mind for how Gregory will be employed in USC’s defense once he arrives in 2024.
“I talked to the DC, my coach about how he wants to use me,” Gregory explained. “Third down, I’m on the line, rushing. First and second down I’m in coverage.”
The On3 Consensus – a complete and equally weighted industry standard that takes into account rankings from all four major recruiting services – ranks Gregory as the No. 120 overall prospect in the class as well as the No. 14 linebacker and No. 21 prospect in Georgia.
On3’s analysts are even higher on Gregory, ranking him the No. 39 overall prospect, No. 4 linebacker and No. 5 prospect in Georgia for the 2024 class.
