Dynamic in-state receiver Mazeo Bennett commits to South Carolina, Shane Beamer

Mazeo Bennett is staying home.

The Class of 2024 four-star receiver from Greenville High School — and a former Tennessee Volunteers pledge — announced on Friday that he’s now committed to Shane Beamer and South Carolina.

Bennett committed to the Vols in October but Tennessee went through changes on its coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Alex Golesh leaving for the head coaching job at the University of South Florida. He broke off his commitment to the Vols in early December.

The Gamecocks have been in pursuit of Bennett for months. South Carolina receivers coach Justin Stepp visited him recently and Bennett has made several visits to Columbia.

Bennett is the No. 3 ranked prospect in South Carolina for the Class of 2024, per the 247Sports Composite. He had 47 receptions for 857 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022 in helping Greenville to the Class 4A Upper State championship game.

In the last two years, Bennett has 72 catches for 1,519 yards and 19 TDs.

Greenville coach Greg Porter says Bennett has all the tools necessary to make him a strong receiver for a Power Five program.

“He has strength, work ethic, academics, hard worker on and off the field,” Porter said. “He is a good blocker, selfless, great competitor, game-day speed, has toughness, great hands and leadership.”

Bennett is the fifth commitment for South Carolina’s 2024 class — the fourth in the last month — and first wide receiver. Bennett’s commitment gives the Gamecocks two of the three top-ranked prospects in South Carolina, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Woodland’s Kam Pringle, the top-ranked prospect in the class, committed to USC on Jan. 22.

The Gamecocks are in the mix Dillon offensive lineman Josiah Thompson (No. 2), West Florence defensive back Kelvin Hunter (No. 6) and Bennett’s teammate, offensive lineman Blake Franks (No. 7). Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports put his Crystal Ball predictions this week for Thompson and Franks to ultimately become Gamecocks.

South Carolina 2024 recruiting class

• QB Dante Reno — Windsor, CT
  
  

• OT Kam Pringle — Dorchester, SC
  
  

• TE Michael Smith — Savannah, GA

• WR Mazeo Bennett — Greenville, SC

• LB Wendell Gregory — Marietta, GA