Jordyn Palmer is Just Another Birdie in The Nest: Here’s Why South Carolina Has An Edge Over other Programs.
Five-star wing Jordyn Palmer, one of the top prospects in the 2027 class, will announce her college decision this Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. ET, live on Rare Footage Sports. She is choosing among South Carolina, Ohio State, UCLA and Penn State.
Who she is
Palmer is ranked ninth by Rivals, seventh by ESPN and sixth by 247, and fifth overall in the Rivals Industry ranking. She is a 6-foot-1 wing and a two-time reigning Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. Last season she averaged 23.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. She was also MVP of USA Basketball’s gold-medal run at the U18 AmeriCup. Her strength and rebounding point to a possible small-ball four in college.
Her visits
Palmer visited South Carolina the weekend of Sept. 18, with point guards GG Banks and Taylor Brown, both of whom have since committed to the Gamecocks. She visited Ohio State, UCLA and Penn State on the following weekends and finished her visits the weekend of Oct. 9.
Estimated chances for each finalist
These percentages are my own subjective estimates, not published odds and Palmer hasn’t tipped her hand publicly. Treat them as a way to organize the arguments, not a forecast.
South Carolina: about 35%
- Why she might choose them: Two of the three top prospects who visited that September weekend are now Gamecocks. That suggests the visit went well, and she knows Banks from USA Basketball. Dawn Staley’s program has won three national titles, and Palmer would join a strong class.
- Why she might not: The roster math is tight, as noted in earlier coverage. With three commitments already, scholarship space is limited. Staley’s class is also heavy on guards and posts, which may be a selling point or a worry about playing time.
UCLA: about 25%
- Why she might choose them: UCLA is the defending national champion, which is a strong pitch for a player who has won everything at the youth level. It also offers a very different setting from home.
- Why she might not: It is the longest trip from Pennsylvania, and she may prefer to stay closer to family.
Ohio State: about 22%
- Why she might choose them: The Buckeyes are a Big Ten program in a reasonable driving distance, and they recruited her heavily. The coaching staff made a strong impression, and there are good opportunities for playing time.
- Why she might not: Nothing I found reports a standout moment from her Ohio State visit, so I have less to go on.
Penn State: about 18%
- Why she might choose them: She lives in Oxford, Pa., and plays at Westtown School. Penn State is close to home, and the chance to play near family could matter a lot.
- Why she might not: Penn State is the least heralded of the four, and her best offers include programs with more recent national success.
What to watch
The announcement is tomorrow evening. A Palmer commitment would give South Carolina a three-guard-plus-post class, and a choice of another school would end the Gamecocks’ hot recruiting streak.
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