Speedy Midlands defensive back commits to ACC school
After a busy spring and summer filled with college offers, Ridge View’s Jordyn Best made his college choice.
The Blazers defensive back picked NC State on Saturday afternoon. Best picked the Wolfpack over Boston College, Syracuse and Georgia Tech. He took official visits to NC State and Boston College.
“They have a great coaching staff and I trust them to get me to the next level,” Best told The State.
Best plans to be an early enrollee in January and is NC State’s fifth defensive back commitment for the Class of 2026, joining Crest safety D’Various Surratt, Markel Aguirre, Tristen Hill and Jordan Jackson.
Best was one of two SC players to commit to NC State on Saturday. Clinton High offensive lineman Tre Aiken committed to the Wolfpack earlier in the day. Aiken was the 19th-ranked prospect by 247Sports Composite rankings.
Best also is the second area commitment for NC State in as many years. Richland Northeast quarterback and last year’s SC Mr. Football, Will Wilson, signed with the Wolfpack in December.
“I’m a game changer. I bring speed and a shutdown mentality to the defense,” Best said. “I’m going to come in with my head down and prove that I can play.”
Best has had a quick rise on the recruiting scene the past few months. His first offer came in March from Liberty, and he picked up more than 20 after that. 247Sports Composite ranks Best as a three-star prospect and No. 14 in South Carolina for the Class of 2026.
“The recruiting process has been good. It started kind of late for me,” Best said. “I just started picking up offers and I thank God I am in the position I am in right now.”
Best’s speed was a factor in his rise. He is one of the fastest players in the state, winning the 100 meters at the SC Class 5A Division I track and field championships in May.
Best also was third in the 200 (21.6) and was part of the first-place 4x100 relay team as the Blazers won their second straight state championship.
On the football field, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Best was a starter in the secondary and finished with 28 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Midlands 2026 football commitments
A look at the area high school football commitments for Class of 2026.
247 Sports Composite SC rankings
(4) Julian Walker, DL, Dutch Fork (Michigan)
(6) Jamel Howse, TE, Newberry (South Carolina)
(14) Jordyn Best, DB, Ridge View (NC State)
(18) Jayden Boyd, WR, Fairfield Central (Duke)
Others
Blake Bettette, WR, Richland Northeast (Dartmouth)
Carter Coleman, WR, Blythewood (Richmond)
Caleb Geronomi, WR/DB, White Knoll (Richmond)
Caden Muskus, OL, Chapin (Appalachian State)
Major Taylor, DE/LB, Irmo (Yale)
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM.
