Top 150 recruit no longer committed to South Carolina. Here’s what we know
South Carolina has lost one of its 2026 commitments.
Four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. confirmed to The State on Tuesday night that South Carolina dropped him as a commitment. TheBigSpur was the first to report the news.
Colton said he was on the phone Tuesday night with Gamecocks defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Clayton White, who — according to Colton — expressed that that he didn’t think the recruit was set on coming to South Carolina.
“(White said), I don’t show that I was committed — I show that I’m a free agent or something,” Colton said. “Like, dang, that’s how you feel? All right, it might be that time.
“I’ve been committed since my 10th-grade year, and that should show you I have loyalty to the school,” Colton continued. “I picked up dang near 20 offers this year and I’ve been committed for two years and didn’t switch up.”
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Newnan, Georgia product committed to the Gamecocks last April and said on Tuesday night that South Carolina tried to get him to reclassify and sign in as a member of the Class of 2025, but he opted against it because he was still young.
“I was gonna go there, work my ass off and see where it got me,” he said. “But, shoot, I’ll put it in God’s hands now.”
Perhaps the notion that Colton wasn’t completely bought in on signing with the Gamecocks makes sense — especially considering over the past few months he’s unofficially visited Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. In October, 247Sports’ recruiting analyst Tom Loy predicted that Colton would eventually flip to the Volunteers.
When asked about the visits, Colton said it’s not what it seems.
“I was just doing that because there’s people on my team who probably ain’t ever get the chance to see (these) colleges,” Colton said. “I’m really just taking them, enjoying time with my bros before they go to college and I go to college. Just having fun. ... We didn’t even do visits. We just went to the games. That should tell you something.”
Colton said he believes South Carolina is still going to recruit him but was nonetheless shocked that coaches wanted to part ways.
“I said I’m committing to you and when I say I’m committing, that’s like marriage,” Colton said. “I was just like, ‘Y’all gonna let me go?’ OK, I ain’t the type to beg.”
With Colton no longer a part of South Carolina’s 2026 class, the Gamecocks are left with five pledges — none of which are linebackers.
Colton is considered a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 127 overall recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite index that factors in all networks’ rankings.
SOUTH CAROLINA 2026 FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS
▪ Anthony Baxter (OL) — Committed on May 5
▪ Keenan Britt (DE) — Committed on Aug. 5
▪ Jamel Howse (TE) — Committed on Oct. 5
▪ J’zavien Currence (DB) Committed on Oct. 17
▪ Peyton Dyer (DB) — committed on Nov. 4
This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM.
