South Carolina’s 2026 Commits Still Alive in Playoff Push as In-State Talent Shines
South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class is loaded with homegrown talent — and every single in-state commit is still competing for a high school state championship. All six Gamecock pledges, representing five different programs across the South Carolina High School League Playoffs, remain in contention heading into this weekend’s games.
Leading the group is four-star safety J’Zavien Currence, the top-ranked in-state prospect in the class. Currence pulls double duty as South Pointe’s quarterback and will guide the No. 1-seeded Stallions into their second-round matchup against Fountain Inn in the 4A bracket. South Pointe rolled through the opening round with a dominant win over Beaufort.
Joining him at South Pointe is three-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter, the longest-standing commitment in USC’s 2026 group. The duo continues to anchor a Stallions squad aiming for a deep playoff push.
In Class 1A, four-star offensive lineman Zyon Guiles and his Carvers Bay team are also advancing after a massive 59–0 victory over Allendale-Fairfax. Carvers Bay, one of the strongest overall teams in 1A, now prepares for a second-round test against Lake View.
Another rising star, four-star wide receiver Sequel Patterson, formerly a 2027 recruit before reclassifying, will return to action with Indian Land this Friday. The Warriors were idle last week but draw Hillcrest in the second round of the 5A Division II playoffs. The winner will advance to face Greenville or TL Hanna. Indian Land enters the postseason as a 3-seed.
Meanwhile, three-star tight end Caden Ramsey and the No. 1 overall seed Cross Trojans are set to face Bethune-Bowman after earning a bye. Ramsey is the newest pledge in South Carolina’s class, and many believe Cross and Carvers Bay could be headed toward a collision in the 1A Lower State final.
At Greenwood, three-star athlete Triston Lewis — who plays quarterback in high school but is expected to line up at defensive back for the Gamecocks — also sat out last week due to a bye. He and the Eagles now prepare for a key 5A Division II showdown with Gaffney. The winner will take on either Northwestern or Catawba Ridge.
Gamecock Targets Across the State Also Making Noise
Beyond committed prospects, numerous South Carolina targets across multiple recruiting classes are still active in the playoffs.
Dutch Fork features two big names:
– Julian Walker, a 2026 four-star EDGE and Michigan commit who continues to visit USC frequently
– Jaden Wuerth, a three-star defensive lineman in the 2027 class
In the Midlands, Irmo boasts several major prospects, including:
– 2027 four-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant
– 2027 four-star OL Nate Carson
– 2029 receiver Corey Miller
Close by, Ridge View is home to 2027 four-star wide receiver Khristian Jackson.
In the Upstate, Catawba Ridge is led by five-star 2027 cornerback Joshua Dobson, while Byrnes features 2027 four-star running back Tre Segarra. Northwestern’s standout defender Tamarion Watkins, a 2026 three-star DB/LB committed to Texas A&M, remains a Gamecock target. Another South Pointe prospect, 2027 four-star defensive tackle Seth Tilman, lines up alongside Currence and Baxter. Woodruff also brings talent with 2027 three-star running back Aiden Gibson.
Down in the Lowcountry, Summerville wideout Jaiden Kelly-Murray (2027 three-star) and Timberland’s 2028 four-star receiver Jordan Gorham continue their postseason runs.
