Gamecocks make the final cut for dynamic 2024 athlete recruit from NC
South Carolina remains in the mix for one of its top offensive targets.
Four-star athlete Jonathan Paylor announced a top five that included USC, North Carolina, N.C. State, Penn State and Maryland on Tuesday afternoon. He’s rated the No. 11 athlete and No. 149 player in the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
It’s expected Paylor will announce his commitment in July.
The North Carolina native projects as a receiver at the next level and would make for another high-level addition to a 2024 Gamecocks class that has its share of potential offensive playmakers.
South Carolina already has pledges from four-stars tight end Michael Smith (No. 130 nationally), receiver Mazeo Bennett (No. 198 nationally) and quarterback Dante Reno (No. 349 nationally). The Gamecocks are also heavily in the mix for four-star athlete Daniel Hill — who’s likely to stick at running back in college.
USC has been considered a front-runner for Paylor for a few months now and that sentiment has largely remained after he visited Columbia over the weekend. The Gamecocks currently hold all six Crystal Ball projections from 247Sports staffers, including three that were logged in the last three days.
“Everything checked off the boxes,” Paylor said following his official visit. “It was more than I expected. They really did what they were supposed to do. It really turned a different page for them.
“Already they were number one and have been number one for a period of time, but overall, it turned a new page for them to know that I can get a full experience of being a student-athlete at South Carolina. My parents got the full experience of like, ‘OK, he’ll be well taken care of, and on the academic side he will learn some things he’s never learned before.’ ”
As a junior at Hugh M. Cummings High School, Paylor rushed for 1,054 yards and 17 touchdowns on 77 carries, caught 27 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns and added over 300 yards as a returner. He also added 18 tackles and three interceptions on defense.
South Carolina’s 2024 class currently ranks 13th nationally, per 247Sports Team Rankings, and is on pace for one of the best finishes in the modern recruiting era.
Phil Kornblut contributed reporting to this piece
