A Record 50 In-State Football Players Likely To Sign major College Offers By national Signing Day From South Carolina

A Record 50 In-State Football Players Likely To Sign major College Offers By national Signing Day From South Carolina



By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Moncks Corner—As of early November the state of South Carolina has confirmed 45 senior prep football players in the Palmetto State who have committed to major college football and the HSSR strongly believes that by the final national signing say in February the state will hit a record of 50 2026 players moving on to major college football.

First and foremost, we always pause to thank Mark Grainger and the fine folks at Modern Turf in Irmo and Rembert for their sponsorship of this monthly recruiting page.

One significant fact the HSSR has recently researched is that while the transfer portal has greatly reduced major college football scholarships to high school seniors in the majority of the staters all across the enation, the portal has not caused a reduction at all in the number of players within the state of South Carolina getting offers while high school seniors. This is certainly a positive happening with the transfer portal a popular tool for major colleges to fill immediate needs.

The South Carolina Gamecocks continue to focus a lot of attention at retaining in-state talent. To date the Gamecocks, have commitments from seven in-state players. They include South Pointe DB J’zavien Currence )6-3, 205), carvers Bay offensive lineman Zyon Guiles (6-4, 295), Greenwood quarterback/defensive back Tristen Lewis (6-4, 200), South Pointe offensive lineman Anthony Baxter (6-3, 330), Newberry High tight end Jamel Howze (6-3, 215), and Cross receiver Caden Ramsey (6-5, 200) who has committed as a tight end.

East Carolina has in-state pledges from four Palmetto State 2026 recruits. They are Gaffney DT Kelton Smith (6-5, 290), along with Spartanburg quarterback Trey Burke (6-3, 205), Gaffney linebacker Zyon Ratchford (6-4, 200), and Indian Land DE Michael Foster (6-3,230).

Appalachian State has also been a very active recruiter of South Carolina prep football with four players currently committed to the Mountaineers. They include Gaffney OL Scotland Dover (6-5,305), Chapin OL Caden Muskus (6-5, 280), Bluffton DL Chris Doyle (6-1, 290), and Oceanside Collegiate DE Sawyer Arnold (6-4, 220).

North Carolina has landed two of the top wide receivers from the 2026 class in South Carolina. They are Dillon WR Zay Robertson (6-0,165) along with Carnell Warren (6-4, 196) from Bluffton.

Liberty has also helped push the recruiting numbers in South Carolina this year and they are making numerous offers in the 2027 class as well.  To date Jamie Chadwell has in-state commitments from North Augusta OL Malcolm Gaston (6-5,330), Stratford QB Jachin Davis (6-1, 185), Woodruff TE Kam Davis (6-6,230), and Crescent WR Amiri Acker (6-2, 185).

UNC Charlotte has landed the commitments of several in-state players also. They include Mountain View Prep WR Kadarus Hainsworth (6-1, 161), Richland Northeast WR Jarrell Turner (6-0,185) and Fort Mill OLB Gray Patterson (6-3, 210).

NC State has landed two in-state players so far. They are Clinton OL Tre Aiken (6-4, 265) and Ridge View DB Jordyn Best (5-11,180).

Florida gained the commitment of Timberland OL Desmond Green (6-5, 333) in July, and Green was the most offered in-state player with 25 confirmed offers. Michigan is holding firm with a pledge from Dutch Fork DE Julian Walker (6-6, 220), Clemson has only one in-state player committed at this time in the 2026 class and he is Dorman FS Kentavious Anderson (6-2, 185).  

Texas A&M is holding firm on the in-state commitment from Northwestern DB Tanarion Watkins (6-4, 200) and Michigan State has a pledge from in-state DB Jeremiah Favorite (5-11, 175) of Boiling Springs.

Memphis has a pledge from Christ Church WR Jude Hall (6-3, 185) while Duke is holding firm on a DB commitment from Jayden Boyd of Fairfield Central. Wake Forest has a commitment from Riverside athlete Somad Eaddy (6-0,165). Orangeburg Prep TE Tildren “T” Riley (6-5, 204) is headed to Vandy. Greenville DL Franklin Whitley (6-5,265) has committed to Florida State.

Arkansas has landed a pledge from Orangeburg-Wilkinson LB Jordan Avinger (6-3, 222). Spartanburg place kicker Will Love is committed to Virginia Tech. Woodland LB Jaemin Pinckney (6-5, 217) is committed to South Florida but schools like Florida State, West Virginia and Tennessee are working hard to flip him.  Greenville DB Jamarion McKinnley is a recent commitment to Cincy.

        The Naval Academy has obtained strong commitments from Hilton Head LB Reid McCollum (6-4, 215) along with Christ Church athlete Anthony Atkins (6-1, 180). Coastal Carolina has a pledge from West Florence LB Romello Patterson (6-3, 225) and Western Michigan has a commitment from Andrews DE Chris Stewart (6-3, 230).