Top South Carolina football recruiting target named Player of the Year in basketball

In the spotlight today is Darius Gray, a 4-star offensive lineman from St. Christopher’s School, who is quickly becoming one of South Carolina’s top targets in the 2026 football recruiting class. At 6’3″ and 285 pounds, Gray is known for his unique blend of size, strength, and athleticism, which he showcases both on the football field and the basketball court.

This weekend, Gray was honored with a major achievement on the hardwood, earning Co-Prep League Player of the Year in Virginia after a standout junior season. His basketball team, St. Christopher’s, recently finished second in their conference tournament, and now they are gearing up for a chance to make a run in the state playoffs starting this week.

Gray’s basketball numbers this February have been nothing short of impressive. In just a few games, he posted a 38-point, 15-rebound performance, followed by 23 points and 11 rebounds, and even 21 points and 19 rebounds in another game.

On the football field, Gray is just as dominant. He earned Virginia All-State honors, excelling as both an offensive and defensive lineman. Additionally, he was named a Navy All-American as a junior. His basketball skills translate well to football, with his strong hands and quick feet aiding his pass protection and allowing him to maul defenders in the run game. Gray’s relentless motor is another key factor, evident in his game film filled with plays that go “until the whistle.”

At the college level, Gray is expected to line up as an interior offensive lineman, though his experience as a high school tackle will undoubtedly help him transition to the next level.

Gray is currently considering a variety of schools, with official visits scheduled to South Carolina, Georgia, Penn State, Virginia, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Clemson, and Virginia Tech. He’s also been in talks with Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, and Alabama.

In the most recent On3 rankings, which aggregate data from four recruiting services, Gray comes in at No. 40 nationally for the 2026 class, No. 2 in Virginia, and No. 3 nationally among interior offensive linemen.

As it stands, South Carolina is currently favored to land Gray, according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine. While the Gamecocks are positioning themselves strongly, Gray’s interest in other top programs remains significant.

When asked about South Carolina this winter, Gray shared his admiration for the team, citing that *”the people there” *were a major factor in his growing affection for the program. He continued, “They’re doing everything the right way. They’re really starting to get the things they want and that’s winning a lot of games. It’s great to see them get what they want and [them] doing it the right way. The main thing is the people there. That’s the biggest thing.”

For more updates on Gray’s recruitment, be sure to follow South Carolina football discussions on The Insiders Forum.

This report was originally posted on On3.