Top 2027 South Carolina prospect talks rankings, recruiting: ‘Hard work pays off’
College football programs have long been drooling over Joshua Dobson.
He was offered scholarships en masse in the spring after his freshman season at Catawba Ridge. By September of his sophomore year, Dobson’s offers had reached a baker’s dozen.
Duke was first. Indiana, South Carolina and N.C. State were soon to follow. And by September, a chunk of the SEC — Tennessee, Auburn, Texas, Arkansas and Texas A&M — extended offers to the 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback.
Then came more validation. A few months ago, 247Sports put out its initial 2027 prospect rankings. Dobson was not just a five-star recruit, but ranked as the No. 6 player in the nation.
“I mean, I didn’t expect that,” Dobson told The State on Thursday. “But, hey, hard work pays off.”
Last season at Catawba Ridge, Dobson racked up 48 tackles, 10 passes defended and three interceptions. He also ran track, finishing sixth in the 400-meters and 11th in the 100-meters at the 5A Division II State Championship.
It should be noted: That ranking can change — for better or worse — depending on how Dobson performs over his final two years of high school.
But, as it stands, he is in rare air.
Going by the 247Sports Composite that factors in multiple networks’ rankings, the last South Carolina high-schooler to be slotted higher than No. 6 nationally was a defensive end out of South Pointe named Jadeveon Clowney.
Expectations as grandiose as those can be overwhelming — especially when basically every top college in America is all over you. But Dobson doesn’t seem caught up in his own hype.
“It comes with maturity,” Dobson said. “I feel like I’m very humble because I was raised that way, so I’ve just take it all in. I’ve got my parents to guide the way.
“(My parents) stay on me. My mom’s a teacher, so she’s always making me keep my grades up ... My dad is always pushing me to be a better man and player. That’s all really helping.”
Also helping is the fact that Dobson has plenty of time before a decision is imminent. He admitted he likely won’t narrow his list of schools until the fall and said his ideal commitment would come next summer.
On top of that, he noted that he’s already taken double-digit unofficial visits — including stops at Clemson in early June and at South Carolina for its spring game.
“Everyone has their different things they like to do (with) their defense and culture,” he said. “So I’m still taking that all in, writing down notes on each team (with) what I like about them.”
He was back in Columbia on Thursday, playing for Catawba Ridge in Shane Beamer’s 7-on-7 tournament. Though opposing quarterbacks rarely threw at him, he still flashed his athleticism and even took a number of snaps at wide receiver.
Whatever the position, Dobson played all day in garnet gloves with the South Carolina logo. Perhaps it was simply a good gesture for the host school. In any case, Dobson has USC on the front of his mind.
“I love the South Carolina coaches,” Dobson said. “I’m excited to keep building that relationship with them. And, of course, they’re one hour up the road.”
But does proximity matter? Do Dobson’s parents want him close to home?
“They don’t really care,” he said. “I’m a national recruit.”
This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
