The State Of South Carolina Saw 48 Players Sign Major College Offers From 20026 Class With More Expected



By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Moncks Corner—As of December, 15 the state of South Carolina has 49 football players, from the 2026 class, who have actually signed on to play at one of the 136 Div. I major colleges who comprise college football; a new state record for signees within one class with several more players forecasted to sign major college offers by early February.

First, and foremost, the HSSR always takes a moment to thank our recruiting page monthly sponsor, Mark Grainger and all the fine folks at Modern Turf in Irmo and Rembert.

In recently developments, Dutch Fork DE Julian Walker (6-6,220) flipped his pledge from Michigan to South Carolina where his father is an assistant coach with the Gamecocks. After his decommitment from the Wolverines, North Carolina came at him full bore with a big NIL pledge from the Tar Heels.

A recent offer and signee to Oregon is AC Flora WR Azel Bang (6-0,170) rated 31 over-all.

In the in, Walker, rated the number two prospect by the HSSR, wanted to stay home and play in the SEC, about 15 miles from his home in Irmo. His flip to South Carolina gives the Gamecocks seven in-state players from the 2026 class. The others include number three rated South Pointe DB J’zavien Currence (6-3,205) who led the Stallions to the SCHSL AAAA state title recently. 

South Carolina has also picked up signatures from number four-rated Shrine Bowl offensive lineman Zyon Guiles (6-4,295), number 13 rated Cross High TE/DB Caden Ramsey (6-5,200). In the past two seasons Ramsey has 21 interceptions as a free safety but he was offered by the Gamecocks as a tight end candidate. Number 14 rated athlete Tristian Lewis (6-4,200) of Greenwood has signed with the Gamecocks as a defensive back. As the team’s quarterback he also passed for over 2,500 yards this past season, while also being the Eagles top ground rusher. Lewis will also play in the upcoming Shrine Bowl.

The number 15 rated prospect who signed with South Carolina is South Pointe offensive lineman Anthony Baxter (6-3, 330) and the 7^th in-state signees for South Carolina included number 16 Indian Land wide receiver Sequel Patterson (6-0,165).

Clemson, who got very involved inviting in-state under classmen players to their home games this season, signed two in-state players from the 2026 class. They inked number six rated FS Kentavion Anderson (6-2, 181) from Dorman along with number 25 rated DE Michael Foster (6-2,220) of Indian Land.       

One development that remained sincere since the HSSR first reported on it back in June was that major college Western Michigan, which will play in a bowl game at Coastal Carolina in December, had indeed extended a firm offer to Andrews High DE Chris Stewart (6-4,230). Stewart went to a summer camp at Western Michigan earlier this summer, and the HSSR was informed that the coaches could not believe none of the power five colleges had made Stewart an offer so when they extended him an offer after seeing at camp, they asked him to keep everything quiet.

Stewart made the North-South all-star game, and the coaches at Western Michigan think he could develop into the next JJ Watt, currently an NFL defensive end of high regard. If Stewart does have an outstanding freshman season up North, he is likely going to be highly sought out in the local region, should he enter the transfer portal. Andrews High head coach Scott Durham told the HSSR, “Stewart is extremely hard to block, and his motor runs wide open non-stop all the time,” said Coach Durham. “He’s the best defensive player I’ve coached to date.”

In the past month, Florida State was able to sign coveted Greenville High defensive linemen Franklin Whitley (6-6,270), rated the number 9 player by the HSSR. The Seminoles were successful in flipping Woodland High Athlete Jaemin Pinckney (6-5,217) from an earlier South Florida commitment.

Also, in the past month Greenville DB Jamarion McKinnley (5-10,175) has signed with Cincy as the number 46 player in the 2026 class.

Appalachian State has helped push the major college numbers in South Carolian by signing six 2026 in-state players in December. They are number 18 rated Newberry High tight end Jamel Howze (6-3, 215) who had been committed to South Carolina, along with number 19 rated Gaffney offensive lineman Scotland Dover (6-5, 305). The Mountaineers also signed number 36 rated Chapin offensive lineman Caden Muskus (6-5,280), number 36 rated Bluffton defensive lineman Chris Doyle (6-1, 290), number 44 rated Dorman defensive end Christian Waring (6-4,300) and number 56 rated Oceanside Collegiate defensive end Sawyer Arnold (6-4, 220).

East Carolina signed three 2026 in-state players from South Carolina. They are number 29 Gaffney defensive tackle Kelton Smith (6-5, 290) along with teammate LB Zyon Ratchford (6-4, 215), the number 39 over-all prospect. The Pirates also signed Spartanburg QB Trey Burke (6-3, 205), the number 36 prospect. 

North Carolina State helped drive up the signees in the Palmetto State by signing three in-state players. They include number 30 rated Clinton OL Tre Aiken (6-4,265), number 34 rated Crescent WR Amiri Acker (6-2, 185) along with number 38 DB Jordyn Best of Ridge View.

North Carolina signed three in-state players in early December and they have already targeted numerous rising seniors to attend their prospect camps this upcoming summer.

The Tar Heels signed the top two 2026 receivers in number five rated Zay Robertson of Dillon who was a Mr. Football Finalist and he is also on the Shrine Bowl team after hauling in over 1,350 yards of receptions this season. Bluffton WR Carnell Warren (6-4, 196) is rated number 7 and he is also on the Shrine Bowl team. Orangeburg-Wilkinson LB Jordan Avinger (6-3, 222) has also signed with North Carolina and he rated 2 on the Top 100 list.

UNC Charlotte has signed number 45 Richland Northeast WR Jarrell Turner (6-0,185) along with number 64 rated LB Gray Patterson (6-3,210). They have had a verbal commitment from MVP WR Kadarus Hainsworth (6-1, 161) but he has yet to sign.

The HSSR’s number one rated player Timberland OL Desmond Green (6-5,333) signed with Florida while number 8 player Tamarion Watkins of Northwestern has signed with Texas A & M., He was named the SC Mr. Football by the Coaches Association on December, 13.

Orangeburg Prep TE Tilden “T” Riley 6-5,203) has signed with Vanderbilt as the number 17 player in the 2026 class. Number 23 player Jeremaih Favorite (5-10,170) is a DB headed to Michigan State, Riverside athlete Somad Eaddy (6-0,165) is headed to Wake Forest, and Duke has signed number 28 WR/DB Jayden Boyd (6-0,180) from Fairfield Central.

In the next six weeks, look for highly regarded players like Ridge View QB Jayvon Gilmore (6-6,200) and the state’s top tackler this season LB Michael Boulware ((6-2, 210), and Thomas Heyward 6,500 career yardage rushing RB Tony O-Banner (6-1,210) to possibly sign major college offers.