4-star TE Jamel Howse decommits from South Carolina

Newberry (S.C.) four-star tight end Jamel Howse has decommitted from South Carolina, he tells Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.

He was pledged to the in-state Gamecocks since Oct. 5, 2024, but is now coming back on the board over 12 months later. Howse was one of the longest-tenured commits in South Carolina’s 2026 class.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is the No. 307 overall prospect and No. 14 TE in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 recruit in the Palmetto State.

There hasn’t been much buzz surrounding Howse’s recruitment since he pledged last fall, but he’s now looking elsewhere with the early signing period less than seven weeks away. After logging an official visit to Columbia this summer, Howse told GamecockCentral that he was “100-percent locked in.” South Carolina is now 3-4 this season after losing to Oklahoma on Saturday.

Howse’s decision leaves South Carolina with 15 commits this cycle. Before he chose the Gamecocks last fall, Howse had also landed offers from Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, West Virginia, UCF, Louisville and others.

Gamecocks lose member of 2026 class

Head coach Shane Beamer and the staff in Columbia are maneuvering a less-than-ideal 2025 campaign. They are pushing to sign another respectable class this winter and currently check in at No. 17 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Four top-100 prospects are in the class, with Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher’s School five-star interior offensive lineman Darius Gray headlining as the No. 32 recruit in the nation. He and Hemingway (S.C.) Carvers Bay four-star Zyon Guiles, the top-ranked IOL in the Rivals300, each remain in the Gamecocks’ class despite the firing of OL coach Lonnie Teasley last week.

Jackson (Ala.) four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth has now committed to South Carolina twice, with the second pledge coming in July. He’s the No. 8 QB in the nation. Weddington (N.C.) four-star defensive lineman Aiden Harris and Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe four-star safety J’Zavien Currence are both top-10 recruits at their respective positions.

South Carolina has recruited very well in-state this cycle, despite the loss of Howse. Currence, Guiles and Fort Mill Indian Land four-star athlete commit Sequel Patterson are all top-five players in the state.

Other blue-chippers in the fold for the Gamecocks to date include: Durham (N.C.) Jordan four-star DL Noah Clark, Matthews (N.C.) Weddington four-star EDGE Andrew Harris, Marianna (Fla.) Blountstown Rivals four-star running back Amari Thomas and Cross (S.C.) Rivals four-star tight end Caden Ramsey.