Elite 2026 LB Rodney Colton commits to South Carolina
Newnan (Ga.) four-star 2026 linebacker Rodney Colton has committed to South Carolina, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Wednesday.
Colton chose the Gamecocks over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and more than a dozen other programs. And he becomes the second commitment in the 2026 class for Shane Beamer and Co.. joining Jackson (Ala.) four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is the No. 83 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 8 linebacker and No. 11 recruit in the Peach State.
On3, however, is much higher on him than the three other services. In the most recent On300 rankings, he was tabbed as the nation’s No. 34 overall recruit and No. 2 linebacker.
Colton continues Gamecocks’ early momentum
His addition gives Beamer and his staff two elite additions early to their 2026 class, with both Colton and Duckworth ranking in the top-100 nationally.
Duckworth got on board with the Gamecocks back in August 2023, wasting no time back his decision.
“I had an idea going into that visit that I was going to commit,” Duckworth told On3’s Chad Simmons at the time. “One big thing was that we stay in contact and talk all the time. No other school stayed in contact like that. I could tell we were really locked in with each other.
…I just had a different feeling up there and I feel comfortable with my decision.”
The trip to Columbia was the second Duckworth has taken since first being offered by the Gamecocks. One of the biggest reasons for his commitment to South Carolina was his already strong bond with Gamecocks’ quarterback coach Dowell Loggains.
“I like the way Coach Loggains talks to me and treats me,” Duckworth said. “I can talk to Coach Loggains like we’re best friends. We understand each other and we can talk good football together.”