5-Star DE Impressed After 'Great' Visit to South Carolina

Anthony Sweeney, a top-ranked 2027 prospect, says the Gamecocks have firmly put themselves in the mix.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 4:35pm

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Anthony Sweeney, a highly touted 2027 defensive end prospect ranked No. 23 overall by 247Sports, recently visited the University of South Carolina and came away impressed. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound player from Our Lady Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland said the visit "went great" and that the Gamecocks have "definitely reminded" him why he is so high on the program.

Why it matters

Sweeney is considered one of the top defensive end recruits in the 2027 class, and his interest in South Carolina is a major boost for the Gamecocks' recruiting efforts. Landing elite prospects like Sweeney is crucial for the program to continue building a competitive roster in the SEC.

The details

During his visit, Sweeney praised South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, saying he is a "players' coach" and that the entire coaching staff has done a great job showing why the school is a "special place." Sweeney previously visited South Carolina in the fall for a game against Vanderbilt, and Deion Barnes has taken over as the lead recruiter for the Gamecocks since then.

  • Sweeney visited South Carolina on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.
  • Sweeney previously visited South Carolina in the fall for the Vanderbilt game.

The players

Anthony Sweeney

A 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end prospect ranked No. 23 overall in the class of 2027 by 247Sports.

Shane Beamer

The head football coach at the University of South Carolina.

Deion Barnes

The lead recruiter for the University of South Carolina football team.

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What they’re saying

“The SC visit went great, and they definitely reminded me why I am so high on them. Coach (Shane) Beamer is a players' coach. And from him, along with the entire staff, they've always done a great job of showing why SC is a special place.”

— Anthony Sweeney

The takeaway

South Carolina's efforts to recruit elite defensive line talent like Anthony Sweeney appear to be paying off, as the highly touted 2027 prospect came away impressed after his latest visit to the campus. Securing commitments from blue-chip recruits is crucial for the Gamecocks as they look to build a championship-caliber program in the SEC.