South Carolina lands 4-star linebacker, former Mississippi State baseball commit
South Carolina’s late charge ahead of this week’s early signing period is rolling on.
Four-star linebacker Stone Blanton (Madison, Mississippi) announced his commitment to Shane Beamer and USC on Monday.
Blanton — who was previously committed to Mississippi State for baseball — chose South Carolina over MSU and Texas A&M. He’s expected to play both baseball and football for the Gamecocks.
“That coaching staff is about as good as it gets,” Blanton said recently about Beamer and his staff. “They are great people and great coaches as well. We’ve had a phenomenal time getting to know them and their families.”
Blanton recorded 106 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and five quarterback hurries for Mississippi private school powerhouse Madison-Ridgeland Academy. He also helped MRA to state titles the last three seasons and is expected to play in the Under Armour All-American game this year.
Blanton took his official visit to USC in the summer and returned for two games during the season, and everything he experienced in Columbia was positive.
“It was amazing,” Blanton said. “The facilities were incredible. The people were even better. I love the coaches there. They were very welcoming and seemed very personable. Me and my family enjoyed the town and the college. They want to use me as a middle linebacker and maybe progress into a Will linebacker. He wants me to be kind of a leader on the defense and make a bunch of plays.”
Blanton is the second four-star linebacker to commit to South Carolina in the last week after Baltimore-area product Jaishawn Barham chose USC over Oklahoma, Maryland and Penn State on Saturday.
The Gamecocks now have commitments from Barham, Blanton and three-star former Georgia pledge Donovan Westmoreland at linebacker. Irmo’s Nick Emmanwori could also play both linebacker or safety at the next level, while three-star Florida native Bryan Thomas Jr. profiles as a linebacker-hybrid.
South Carolina currently has 20 pledges in its 2022 class. The Gamecocks have four slots remaining as quarterback Zeb Noland counts toward this year’s allotment of 25 players after he was added to the roster in August.
USC hasn’t had a class finish better than 14th nation since 2007, but could be poised to pass that mark with another pledge or two between Monday and when the early signing period opens on Wednesday.
South Carolina’s 2022 class ranks No. 16 nationally and No. 6 in the Southeastern Conference following Blanton’s commitment, per 247Sports.
— Phil Kornblut contributed to this story
South Carolinas top 5 commitments for 2022
According to 247Sports Composite that factors in all recruiting rankings.
1. Jaishawn Barham, LB, District Heights, Md., 4 stars
2. Keenan Nelson, DB, Philadelphia, 4 stars
3. Braden Davis, QB, Middletown, Del., 4 stars
4. Stone Blanton, LB, Madison, Miss., 4 stars
5. Antony Rose, DB, Miami, 3 stars
South Carolina recruiting Class of 2022
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 11:26 AM.
