Landon Duckworth has cemented himself as one of the nation’s premier quarterback prospects — a top-10 talent whose name has long carried buzz and big expectations.
Now, as the four-star standout from Jackson, Alabama, prepares to officially sign with South Carolina on Wednesday, that hype comes with something new: NIL money. And according to his mother, Tiffany Campbell, that part is both real and worrying.
“I don’t care what nobody says,” Campbell told The State. “As a parent, kids having access to that type of money is scary.”
Throughout Duckworth’s recruitment, Campbell made a point to keep financial talk at arm’s length. She refused to let schools discuss NIL numbers with her or her son until he reached his senior year, fully aware that a younger recruit would naturally chase the biggest promises.
But she also emphasized that money isn’t a foreign concept in their household. Campbell, who owns an income tax preparation office as well as two tax-service businesses — one built as an Amazon Partner Hub — said her son has never grown up without his needs being met.
“I’ve been able to afford the things that he’s always wanted,” Campbell said. “Like I told him, ‘You’ve already had access to certain things so, you know, just live like you’ve been living.’”
Her goal was simple: keep Duckworth focused on football, not financial offers. That mindset helped guide him toward the school where he felt most at ease — South Carolina.
“Landon was never looking at money,” she said. “Because if he was, he would be at other places.”
Campbell didn’t reveal the details of the NIL deal South Carolina provided, but she did confirm that Duckworth has agreed to a two-year arrangement with the Gamecocks. He’ll arrive in Columbia in January, at which point he should also know whether current starter LaNorris Sellers plans to return next season.
Based on the 247Sports Composite, Duckworth will become the highest-rated quarterback to sign with Shane Beamer at South Carolina — and his résumé shows why the buzz is justified.
Duckworth has been an integral part of two Jackson High basketball state titles, helped a 4×100 relay team win a state championship, and led Jackson to a 4A Alabama state football title as a junior. He’ll try to secure another championship on Friday night.
This fall, he has completed over 60% of his passes for 2,160 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also rushing for nearly 600 yards and 11 more scores.
“He’s a competitor,” said his longtime quarterback trainer, Davis Morris of “QB Country.” “He hates to lose and it bothers him to lose. It bothers him not to play at a high level.”
Morris, who has trained NFL quarterbacks including Eli Manning, Bo Nix and Drake Maye, began coaching Duckworth in third grade. For nearly a decade, Duckworth, Campbell or a Jackson High coach has made the hour-plus drive to Mobile for training.
“The thing that stands out to me about Landon is his consistency,” Morris said. “Whether that means showing up to train or, you know, throwing the football accurately, like he’s a consistent guy … that’s what the best ones have.”
Duckworth began attracting college interest early in his high-school career, as elite quarterbacks often do. What made him unusual was his decision to commit to a college before even starting his sophomore season.
In August 2023, he pledged to South Carolina, Beamer and then-offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. But as more major programs — including Texas A&M and Oregon — offered him scholarships, he backed off his commitment shortly before his junior year.
“We just felt like he just kind of needed to go through the whole process to make sure this is what you really want,” Campbell said. “That’s the only reason he decommitted. And I guess that’s why he’s right back there.”
Duckworth took visits, spoke with countless coaches, surveyed his options — and ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to the Gamecocks in July. Outside of one trip to LSU, he remained locked in with South Carolina.
Even after USC parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike Shula, Duckworth stuck to his decision. Campbell credits that loyalty to the bond her son has built with Beamer. Their conversations, she said, are near-constant.
The connection is so natural that Campbell recalled lying in bed one night when Duckworth walked in mid-conversation — with the Gamecocks’ head coach.
“I can see Landon light up every time we go to South Carolina and we’re on campus,” Campbell said. “It’s almost like he’s at home. That’s the part I’ve always paid attention to.”
