2026 4-star LB Keenan Britt shares thought process behind commitment to Shane Beamer’s South Carolina

By Aman Sharma

Modified Aug 11, 2024 18:58 GMT

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Keenan Britt, a four-star linebacker from Oxford, Alabama, has committed to Shane Beamer's South Carolina Gamecocks for the 2026 recruiting class. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound standout chose South Carolina over Auburn, Oregon, Ole Miss, and Arkansas.

Britt’s decision to join the Gamecocks came shortly after the team extended an offer in early July, just weeks following Darren Uscher's appointment as South Carolina's Director of Player Personnel. Uscher's prior connection with Britt from his tenure at Oregon played a pivotal role in the recruitment process.

Reflecting on his choice, Britt emphasized the importance of feeling at home, stating,

"It’s all about how me and my family feel. It doesn’t matter how far away the school is. I want it to feel like home. That’s what South Carolina is."

Despite not visiting the school before including them in his final five, Britt was drawn to South Carolina’s culture and the welcoming nature of the coaching staff. On his unofficial visit, Britt spent quality time with head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White. He praised their experience, saying,

"Coach Beamer and Coach White were so welcoming to me and my family. Everything about the visit was outstanding. Coach White is amazing. He tells me that my playing style, my effort and everything – everything that Coach White tells me – he's a great coach."

Britt is enthusiastic about joining the Gamecocks, citing the strong brotherhood and camaraderie among the players.

"When they go to the 3-3-5 stack, I would be playing the Will," Britt said. "I'm used to playing off the ball. It's a lot that I like about South Carolina that shows me they're different. The brotherhood at the school is outstanding. The teammates are outstanding, everything was good over there."

As a rising junior, Keenan Britt recorded an impressive 107 tackles, eight sacks, and 17 tackles-for-loss during his sophomore season. He is the second linebacker to commit to South Carolina's 2026 class, joining four-star Rodney Colton Jr. and three-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter.

Keenan Britt chooses South Carolina for 2026

Standing 6'2" and weighing 230 pounds, Keenan Britt has played various defensive positions at Oxford High School in Alabama, from nose tackle to middle linebacker. Although recruiting outlets rate him as an EDGE player, his versatility makes him a valuable addition to the Gamecocks’ defensive schemes, whether in a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 setup.

Ranked as the 13th-best prospect in Alabama for the 2026 class by 247Sports, Britt also holds the 25th spot nationally at his position. His choice of South Carolina came down to the sense of home.

“The way they talk to me and my parents, it’s big on me and my family,” Britt said of South Carolina in a recent interview with Rivals.

Keenan Britt's outstanding junior season, where he earned second-team honors from the Alabama Sports Writers Association in Class 6A, saw him lead Oxford to a 9-3 record and a deep playoff run.