South Carolina’s 2028 recruiting class got a serious jolt Sunday afternoon when linebacker Skylar Alston of Raleigh announced his commitment to the Gamecocks.
Alston checks in at 6-2, 220 and has drawn attention from a long list of national powers. His offer sheet included Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, North Carolina, UCLA, Kentucky, Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee and SMU.
He ultimately trimmed things down to USC, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan and UCLA, with South Carolina coming out on top. A big reason was the bond he built with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Clayton White, a relationship that stretched across several years and at least eight visits for camps, recruiting events and games.
“Just constant communication, just with everybody, the whole staff," Alston said earlier this year. "They definitely treat me like a family, definitely doing a great job recruiting. I talk to Coach White every week.
Coach (Shane) Beamer every week. I just talk to everybody.
Coach T-Money (assistant LB coach Trey Money) every week. So yeah, it definitely feels amazing.
They definitely treat me like a priority."
The interest is easy to understand. Alston has been everywhere for his high school team this season, piling up 96 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and four sacks through 10 games. For his career, he has 123 tackles, 42 tackles for loss and six sacks.
That production matches the kind of versatility recruiters see in him. Alston described himself as a player who can line up all over the field and impact the game in different ways.
“Definitely my speed and everything I got to offer because I'm definitely a versatile backer," Alston said. "They see that as well. I can play any position on the field.
I can come down to the edge, go deep at rover, nickel, safety, everywhere. I'm kind of like a fly around backer, so I can do everything: cover, blitz.
That's definitely what they like about me."
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The one concern hanging over the celebration is LaNorris Sellers, who found the end zone but also re-injured his ankle during the game. His availability for the next stretch is now uncertain, and for a South Carolina team that has started to look more complete, the timing could hardly be more delicate. The defense has done its part, but the offenses next step may depend on how quickly Sellers can get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]
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For South Carolina, the ranking is only part of the story, because the next stretch will say far more about where this team really stands. Poll movement can create momentum, but it can disappear quickly when the schedule turns unforgiving, and the Gamecocks now face a huge test with the kind of stakes that can either validate their return or send them right back into the pack. [Read more 🡒]