On January 29, 2025, a notable event occurred for South Carolina football as three key coaches from the Gamecocks’ staff—Shane Beamer, Mike Shula, and Shawn Elliott—traveled to Newberry High School to visit one of the program’s prized recruits, tight end commit Jamel Howse. The visit marked an important milestone in the recruiting process for Howse, a highly sought-after player in the state of South Carolina, as the coaching staff made their personal pitch for his commitment to the Gamecocks.
**The Role of the Coaches in Recruiting**
Shane Beamer, South Carolina’s head coach, has made it clear that building strong relationships with recruits is a critical part of his approach to program building. For Beamer, recruiting is not just about finding the best talent, but about making sure that recruits feel like they’re an integral part of the program. By personally visiting Howse, Beamer was not only continuing his aggressive recruiting efforts but also showing his commitment to building those crucial personal connections that will help lay the foundation for the future of Gamecocks football.
Mike Shula, the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator, has proven to be a key figure in recruiting offensive players, especially those in positions where he has significant experience. Shula, who has worked with quarterbacks at the highest level in the NFL, is known for his development of offensive schemes that can take advantage of the strengths of his players. In Howse’s case, Shula’s presence on the visit was likely to discuss how the young tight end could fit into South Carolina’s evolving offensive attack. Howse, who stands out for his physicality and athleticism, could become a key weapon in the Gamecocks’ offense, and Shula’s insight would be invaluable in reassuring the recruit of his future role.
Shawn Elliott, the Gamecocks’ offensive line coach and run game coordinator, adds another layer of expertise to this high-profile visit. While Elliott’s main focus is on the offensive line, his experience as a former head coach at Georgia State allows him to provide an all-encompassing view of what it takes to succeed at the collegiate level. His visit to Howse is likely aimed at providing additional depth to the Gamecocks’ pitch, reinforcing how the team’s offensive line can create opportunities for tight ends like Howse to thrive in both the passing and running game.
**Jamel Howse’s Recruitment Journey**
Jamel Howse is one of the top tight end prospects in South Carolina for the class of 2025. At 6’5″ and 230 pounds, Howse has a combination of size, speed, and raw athletic ability that makes him a mismatch for defenders. While he has the frame to play as a traditional tight end, Howse’s ability to line up as a wide receiver or in the backfield as an H-back has made him a versatile threat. His impressive combination of skills has drawn attention from multiple top programs, but South Carolina has remained firmly in the race due to the early and consistent relationship they’ve built with him.
Throughout his recruitment, Howse has made clear that his decision will be based on finding a program that can help him develop as both a player and an individual. The Gamecocks have been able to demonstrate that they are more than just a place to play football; they are a place where young men are mentored both on and off the field. The visit by Beamer, Shula, and Elliott only reinforced this message, showing Howse that South Carolina’s commitment to his growth extends beyond football into his education and life after the game.
**The Importance of In-Person Visits**
In-person visits are an essential part of the recruiting process. For recruits like Howse, meeting the coaches face-to-face allows for a deeper connection and a better understanding of the program’s culture. Howse will not only get a chance to discuss football with the coaches, but also to see how the coaching staff interacts with one another, and how they connect with players. These moments can be pivotal in a recruit’s decision-making process, especially when it comes down to choosing between several highly competitive programs.
For Beamer, Shula, and Elliott, the visit serves as an opportunity to express the Gamecocks’ unique selling points directly to Howse and his family. The visit allows them to answer any lingering questions, offer more personalized insights into what Howse’s future might look in Columbia, and continue to sell the vision of South Carolina football. At the same time, the coaching trio gets a better sense of Howse’s mindset, values, and goals, all of which will help them understand how to best support his development once he arrives on campus.
**A Building Block for the Future**
The Gamecocks are in the midst of a key rebuilding phase under Shane Beamer, and the addition of Howse could be a major piece of their future success. Howse’s arrival would be part of a growing collection of talent that is shaping the team into a serious contender in the SEC. South Carolina’s offense is evolving under Beamer and Shula, and Howse’s skill set could elevate that unit to new heights. A dynamic tight end like Howse would give the Gamecocks a valuable weapon in both the passing and running game, creating mismatches for opposing defenses to contend with.
In conclusion, the visit to Newberry High School by Shane Beamer, Mike Shula, and Shawn Elliott serves as another critical moment in the recruitment of Jamel Howse. With the tight end’s commitment to the Gamecocks seemingly secure, the presence of the coaches underscores the importance of building strong relationships and providing recruits with a clear vision of their future. As Howse moves closer to his eventual enrollment, the Gamecocks’ coaching staff is doing everything in their power to ensure that he feels at home in Columbia and is ready to make an immediate impact on the field.