On Monday, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power unveiled his Top 50 players to watch for the class of 2029, and one of the names on the list carries a familiar connection to South Carolina football.
Among the just seven quarterbacks selected was Bear Woods, the younger brother of current Gamecock quarterback Cutter Woods. Notably, Bear is the only prospect from the Palmetto State to earn a spot on Power’s early watch list.
A left-handed freshman at Anderson (S.C.) Westside, Woods already stands 6-foot-4 and features a powerful arm. While still lean, his frame suggests plenty of room to add muscle as he continues to develop over the next three years at the high school level.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Woods stepped into the starting quarterback role at Westside this fall. He put together an impressive debut season, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and guiding the Rams to the Upper State Championship Game.
On the field, Woods shows poise in the pocket and enough athleticism to extend plays when necessary. While he’s not known as a true dual-threat runner, he has the functional mobility to throw effectively on the move and pick up short yardage with his legs.
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Woods is no stranger to Columbia. He has visited USC multiple times, first while accompanying Cutter during his recruitment and now as a prospect in his own right. He already holds Division I offers from Eastern Michigan and Appalachian State. App State head coach Dowell Loggains previously recruited Cutter to South Carolina during his time as the Gamecocks’ offensive coordinator.
As a member of the 2029 class, Woods has not yet received an official recruiting ranking. Still, landing on a Rivals watch list limited to just 50 players is significant. Historically, many prospects featured on these early lists have gone on to become blue-chip recruits.
Much like his older brother, Woods is expected to draw heavy recruiting interest as his career progresses, and early indications suggest that South Carolina could play a role in his recruitment down the line.
Another familiar name with Gamecock ties also made the list: Captain Munnerlyn Jr., a safety and the son of former South Carolina defensive back Captain Munnerlyn.
