Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks land the most unlikely and most talked-about recruit in college football.
A few weeks ago, Neff Giwa had never played a snap of organized American football. Today, he’s a South Carolina Gamecock.
South Carolina football added Giwa, a 6-foot-8, 295-pound Irish rugby player, to its 2026 recruiting class. The Gamecocks announced the signing on social media on March 29. It was the culmination of one of the strangest and most electric recruiting stories college football has seen in years.
How It All Started
Giwa’s rise is unprecedented because he has never played a snap in a competitive American football game. He became a national priority after a viral workout video showcased his 37-inch arms and a 4.88-second 40-yard dash. For context, that 40 time is quicker than every offensive lineman who ran at the most recent NFL Combine.
This 6’8 300lb OT @NeffGiwa came from rugby.. he will be a 1st round pick one day! Remember this tweet!!!
He’s big, athletic, tough, and work hard to be great!! I would take him at any college in America!!! Special talent , work ethic and character pic.twitter.com/qYfGyJOE0B
— Brandon Collier (@BCollierPPI) March 17, 2026
Giwa honed his skills with Cashel Rugby Club in Ireland and later represented Munster Rugby, earning a spot on the Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools squad in 2022. His impressive size and athleticism were captured in a short video posted by PPI Recruits, which quickly gained traction and attracted interest from numerous top college football programs.
“It’s been crazy, man. A crazy experience,” Giwa told The Athletic last week.
A Recruiting Frenzy Unlike Any Other
Once the video went viral, the floodgates opened. Several top programs began recruiting Giwa even though he’d never played football. He took visits to Miami, Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee and Michigan State and had offers from North Carolina, SMU, and James Madison.
The 20-year-old former rugby star chose the Gamecocks over Miami, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
South Carolina worked aggressively to close the deal fast. The Gamecocks reportedly offered a massive NIL deal in hopes of preventing Giwa from visiting the Miami campus. It failed — the Hurricanes got their visit — but in the end, South Carolina still won out. The Athletic credits Gamecocks offensive line coach Randy Clements as a major factor in Giwa’s decision. At previous coaching stops, Clements developed international prospects Sebastian Vollmer and Danny Watkins into early-round NFL draft picks.
What the Gamecocks Are Getting
Giwa spent hours studying NFL veterans like Trent Williams on YouTube to prepare for his transition to the SEC. He also cited Jordan Mailata’s journey from international rugby to the NFL as a specific motivation for his move to the United States.
PPI Recruits founder Brandon Collier has made no effort to temper expectations. “Whoever signs Neff Giwa is getting a 1st round pick in three years. He is a big, big human with great feet and physicality. Big Neff is going to blow up. This kid is 6’8, 300 lbs, 37-inch arms, and a mean, mean guy on the field,” Collier posted on X.
247Sports lists Giwa as the No. 191 offensive tackle in the 2026 class and a three-star recruit.
The PPI Pipeline
Giwa’s path to Columbia runs through PPI Recruits, the same organization that has placed dozens of international athletes in American college programs. Giwa’s signing highlights the growing trend of international athletes, particularly those with rugby backgrounds, transitioning to college football. Programs are increasingly recognizing the potential of athletes with diverse athletic experiences, as rugby players often possess qualities that translate well to the gridiron.
What’s Next
Giwa plans to arrive at South Carolina in May 2026. South Carolina brought in eight new offensive linemen through the transfer portal in its 2026 recruiting class, as the Gamecocks were among the nation’s worst in sacks allowed last season. Giwa becomes the fourth offensive lineman in the 2026 class and is set to enroll this summer, joining Darius Gray, Zyon Guiles, and Anthony Baxter. South Carolina’s 2026 class currently ranks No. 20 nationally and No. 13 in the SEC.
Whether Giwa becomes the next Jordan Mailata or remains a developmental curiosity, one thing is certain: Shane Beamer’s program has a knack for finding athletes nobody else is looking at. Adding a 6-foot-8 Irish rugby phenom with freak athleticism and a hunger to prove himself fits that mold perfectly.
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