The South Carolina Gamecocks have scored another victory on the recruiting trail, securing their second in-state commitment of the cycle. On Sunday, the Gamecocks added Jackson Ross, a promising three-star linebacker from Hammond, to their 2027 recruiting class. This comes hot on the heels of their recent addition of a three-star offensive lineman from Ridge View.
Ross, who picked South Carolina over offers from Vanderbilt and Texas Tech, becomes the 13th recruit in the Gamecocks' 2027 class and notably, the first linebacker. According to the 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings, Ross stands as the 51st-ranked linebacker nationally and the 13th overall recruit in South Carolina. Interestingly, none of the higher-ranked recruits from the Palmetto State have yet committed to South Carolina, though this could change soon with Irmo’s Nate Carson, a four-star offensive lineman, set to announce his decision next week.
Ross weighed his options carefully, considering the benefits of staying close to home versus the allure of making a name for himself elsewhere. "There is some pressure to stay home and there are a lot of benefits to that that would be cool," Ross shared in early June.
"On the other hand, it would be awesome for me to go make a name for myself somewhere else. … I grew up a Carolina fan, but there are opportunities elsewhere."
Hammond has a history of sending talent to South Carolina, with five-star edge Jordan Burch and four-star defensive tackle Alex Huntley heading to the Gamecocks in the Class of 2020. Ross becomes the second Hammond player to pledge to South Carolina since Shane Beamer took the helm, joining 2025 tight end Mike Tyler.
Here's a quick look at the Gamecocks' 2027 recruiting class so far:
- 3-star quarterback Jerry Meyer III, committed on April 3
- Offensive lineman Will Endicott, committed on April 27
- 4-star defensive lineman John Archer, committed on April 29
- 3-star wide receiver DJ Huggins, committed on April 30
- 3-star tight end Judah Lancaster, committed on May 1
- 3-star offensive lineman Jaxon Elston, committed on May 10
- 4-star wide receiver Javien Robinson, committed on May 12
- 4-star running back Brayden Tyson, committed on May 15
- 3-star offensive lineman Clayton Lee, committed on June 17
- 3-star offensive lineman James Ross, committed on June 23
- 4-star wide receiver Iveon Lewis, committed on June 23
- 4-star cornerback Kelvin Millington, committed on June 25
- 3-star linebacker Jackson Ross, committed on June 28
With this latest addition, the Gamecocks continue to build a diverse and promising roster for the future, blending local talent with out-of-state prospects to create a well-rounded team ready to compete at a high level.
In Other News...
Gamecocks Fans Finally Get Their First Real Look At Nike Gear
South Carolina fans finally have a real glimpse of what the Nike era will look like, with the athletic departments switch from Under Armour now visible in merchandise that closely tracks the old look. The first wave is centered on jerseys, and the overall feel should be familiar to anyone who has watched the Gamecocks for years, even as Nike puts its own stamp on the rollout.
There is still plenty left to come, though, which is part of the intrigue for fans eager to see how deep the transition goes. Hats and polos are expected later, while other sports will get their jerseys closer to their own seasons, leaving the rest of the Nike inventory to trickle out over time as South Carolinas new on-field and retail identity continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Gamecocks Fans Can Finally Get A Piece Of The Under Armour Era
South Carolinas move from Under Armour to Nike is doing more than changing what the Gamecocks wear on game day. As the athletic department clears out equipment rooms and phases out the old supplier, years of accumulated Under Armour gear are being routed to South Carolina State Surplus, where the public will get a rare chance to buy pieces of the programs recent history at discounted prices.
The haul includes jerseys and other apparel gathered over 19 years, with the sale expected to pop up in mid-August at the State Surplus Property Warehouse in West Columbia. Theres still plenty to learn about what will actually be on those pallets and how cheap it will all be, but for fans who have long wanted a tangible piece of the Under Armour era, this is shaping up to be one of those off-the-radar drops worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Gamecocks Backfield Battle Just Became The Story Of 2026
South Carolinas backfield picture is already looking like one of the first real roster debates of 2026, and it comes with all the usual caveats a coaching staff likes to attach to the position. The Gamecocks have seven running backs on hand, a mix of returners, transfer additions and depth pieces, and the message from Kendal Briles and Shane Beamer was clear enough: this is not a spot where the staff wants to lean too hard on one body for too long.
Briles talked about the need to spread the work around across a long season, while Beamer framed the discussion around how difficult it can be to sort out carries and roles when there are multiple backs who can help. The competition is still unfolding, which is part of the intrigue, but it already has the feel of a committee that could keep shifting as the season approaches and the staff figures out who deserves the biggest slice of the workload. [Read more 🡒]