What five-star pledge means for South Carolina's 2026 class

South Carolina has its first five-star commitment in its 2026 recruiting class.

Darius Gray, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the rising high school senior class according to 247Sports, has verbally pledged to the Gamecocks out of the Southeastern Conference, a massive recruiting win for head coach Shane Beamer and his program.

Gray, an elite top-20 national prospect from Virginia, picked South Carolina over other finalists Clemson, Ohio State, LSU and Tennessee. Gray's recruitment ultimately was between the Gamecocks and LSU.

"It came down to the final days this week," Gray said Rivals. "It was a very tough decision between LSU and South Carolina. LSU led this past year, and South Carolina led before that. It has been a battle between those two for a while. A lot of prayer went into it. It was my decision, but talking with family helped a lot too."

The difference maker for South Carolina prevailing for the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Gray was Beamer, 247Sports reported. 

"When you look at how he handled Darius's recruitment, the personal touch and approach he took, especially when dealing with his mother, that was a huge factor that swung things in favor of the Gamecocks," a source told 247Sports.

South Carolina's 2026 class is up to 15 verbal pledges and includes eight prospects who are rated four stars, per the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking. Gray, though, is the team's first five-star commit.

With Gray on board, the Gamecocks' 2026 cycle has moved to No. 16 nationally, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. Over at the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, South Carolina's 2026 class is No. 19 overall.

Gray's highest 2026 ranking is from 247Sports, which has him at No. 16 nationwide, No. 1 at interior offensive lineman and No. 1 in Virginia. Both the 247Sports Composite and the Rivals Industry Ranking place Gray in the top 35 overall.

He is a standout rising senior at the St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Va. In the 2024 campaign, as a junior, Gray tallied 50 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, according to 247Sports.

Earlier this month, MaxPreps unveiled its 2025 preseason All-America teams in high school football. Gray was named to the MaxPreps All-America second team on offense.

Gray will join a South Carolina program that went 9-4 last year and was No. 19 in the final Associated Press top-25 poll. The Gamecocks are No. 13 in the preseason AP top 25 ahead of the 2025 campaign.