South Carolina adds highly productive in-state receiver to 2023 recruiting class

Ben Portnoy
·2 min read
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South Carolina’s receiver room has another new piece.

Rock Hill product Elijah Caldwell announced his commitment to USC on Thursday via social media. The Northwestern High School standout was previously committed to West Virginia. He also considered N.C. State.

Caldwell is a late boon for Shane Beamer and his coaching staff. Rated a three-star recruit and the No. 864 player in the 2023 class, per the 247Sports Composite, his offer sheet included Power Five programs Utah, Purdue, Georgia Tech and Duke.

During his senior season, Caldwell caught 77 passes for 1,365 yards and 20 touchdowns, while helping Northwestern to a 13-2 record.

South Carolina’s receiving room is being overhauled this spring as the Gamecocks lose four of their top five pass catchers from the 2022 season. Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. is back, along with veterans Xavier Legette, Dakereon Joyner and Ahmarean Brown. Youngsters Landon Samson and O’Mega Blake should also factor into the equation next year.

Caldwell becomes the fourth high-school receiver signee in USC’s 2023 class. The Gamecocks also added wide receiver Eddie Lewis (Memphis) through the transfer portal.

USC 2023 class by position

OFFENSE (13)

  • Quarterback (1): LaNorris Sellers

  • Running Back (1): Djay Braswell

  • Wide Receiver (4): CJ Adams, Kelton Henderson, Tyshawn Russell, Elijah Caldwell

  • Tight End (3): Connor Cox, Reid Mikeska, Kamron Sandlin

  • Offensive Line (4): Markee Anderson, Tosin Babalade, Trovon Baugh, Jatavius Shivers

DEFENSE (10)

  • Defensive Line (2): Elijah Davis, Xzavier McLeod

  • Edge (2): Monteque Rhames II, Desmond Umeolzulu

  • Linebacker (1): Grayson Howard

  • Defensive Back (5): Judge Collier, Jalon Kilgore, Zahbari Sandy, Vicari Swain, Cam Upshaw

USC class by state

  • South Carolina (7): Markee Anderson, Judge Collier, Elijah Davis, Xzavier McLeod, Monteque Rhames, LaNorris Sellers, Elijah Caldwell

  • Georgia (6): CJ Adams, Trovon Baugh, Djay Braswell, Jalon Kilgore, Jatavius Shivers, Vicari Swain

  • Florida (4): Connor Cox, Kelton Henderson, Grayson Howard, Cam Upshaw

  • Maryland (2): Tosin Babalade, Desmond Umeozulu

  • Alabama (1): Kamron Sandlin

  • Pennsylvania (1): Tyshawn Russell

  • Texas (1): Reid Mikeska

  • Washington, D.C. (1): Zahbari Sandy