South Carolina Football Targets Three New QB Recruits after Recent Decommitment
In Columbia, Darren Swift attention is focused on the South Carolina Gamecocks’ recent fast-tracked search for future quarterback talent. Following a decommitment from Class of 2026 quarterback Landon Duckworth on Tuesday night, three prospective signal callers from the same class excitedly announced on social media they were in receipt of offers from Coach Shane Beamer and his Gamecocks.
Offers On The Table
Juniors Noah Grubbs of Lake Mary (Fla.), Dereon Coleman of Jones High (Fla.), and Michael Clayton of Seminole High (Fla.) make up the trio of targets. Shortly after news broke of Duckworth’s departure at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Grubbs took to social media at 9:32 p.m. to announce his offer. Clayton’s offer came later the same evening, while Coleman aired his exciting news on Wednesday morning.
Substantiating the Gamecocks’ strategic approach to recruitment, the team’s typical practice is to secure a quarterback in each year’s recruitment cycle—for example, in 2023, LaNorris Sellers was recruited and is projected to be the started when training opens this coming August.
Boost with Recent Commitments
The recent acquisition of three-star Westside quarterback Cutter Woods (Class of 2025) who opted to flip from Wake Forest to USC, added a notable boost to the Gamecocks’ quarterback roster. Other previous acquisitions include Dante Reno from the 2024 Class who enrolled back in January, along with transfers Robby Ashford (Auburn) and Davis Beville (Oklahoma, walk-on).
Recruit Rundown
Of the latest offers made by USC, Grubbs is the highest ranked in the bunch, having previously committed to Notre Dame on June 1. His other notable offers include esteemed colleges such as Ohio State, Oklahoma, Syracuse, Arkansas, Michigan, Texas A&M, Florida and Penn State. On Tuesday, he confirmed on social media his previously made commitment to ND while also expressing interest in the 2026 class.
Grubbs cuts an imposing figure on the field, standing at 6-foot-4 and with credentials including 3,677 yards and 49 touchdowns thrown in his sophomore year. He also adds to his tally with 11 running scores.
Coleman also ranks as a notable four-star prospect, rated as the 21st best quarterback of his class by the 247Sports Composite. His recent offer was from Miami last week and he had already expressed preference for Central Florida, Oklahoma, Illinois, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Nebraska, TCU and Arkansas. With 2,236 yards thrown, 247 run, and 20 total touchdowns last season, he makes for competitive recruit material.
Clayton is the final piece of the trio, standing at 6-3, he’s secured multiple offers over the past month from universities such as Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Maryland, Central Florida and North Carolina State. He comes off a season at Edgewater High with an impressive 1,902 yards and 18 touchdowns thrown.
Responding to Decommitment
Landon Duckworth, when speaking of his decommitment from South Carolina, expressed nothing but admiration for Beamer and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains. Despite dubbing it a “tough decision”, he thanked the staff for their belief in him and his capabilities.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
