Alabama’s Top QB Prospect Signs With South Carolina

The eleventh overall player and first-ranked quarterback in the state of Alabama, Tanner Bailey, signed with the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, giving Shane Beamer his fourth four-star commitment in the 2022 cycle.

Get our free mobile app

Bailey announced his decommitment from Oregon after news broke of the Ducks' head coaching vacancy, opening his recruitment up just ahead of the early signing period. Despite some speculation of the former Gordo signal caller having interest in Auburn, Beamer and the Gamecocks were able to collect their 22nd member of the 2022 class in Bailey.

In his time as the starter for the Green Wave, Bailey complied an impressive 6,200 passing yards and 71 touchdowns, leading his team to two region championships and a 4A state championship appearance in 2020.

Per GamecockCentral, Bailey, when asked about his decision to choose South Carolina said it had a lot to do with head coach Shane Beamer.

The Gordo, AL native said, "I think the first thing with me was just the coaching staff, with Coach Beamer and Coach (Marcus) Satterfield, they've been really good to me," Bailey continued, "After I committed to Oregon, obviously things came to a halt, but after I decommitted, we got in contact in the last few weeks and with signing day coming in the last few days, I wanted to go ahead and sign, so I made up my mind."

Bailey is the second quarterback in the Gamecocks' 2022 class and the third to join the team this offseason with notable transfer, Spencer Rattler, also choosing South Carolina.

While Rattler is expected to be the starter for 2022, Bailey could compete for the job as early as his sophomore season.

Despite a tough year, finishing just 6-6, the Gamecocks have the 24th ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports, and project to be a much improved team next season.