Four-star Gamecock signee named South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year

On Wednesday, safety J’Zavien Currence officially signed with South Carolina football as a four-star prospect in the class of 2026. On Friday, just a day before his South Pointe Stallions take on the South Florence Bruins (former school of USC’s LaNorris and Jayden Sellers) in the SCHSL 4A state title game, Currence earned the distinction of being named the Palmetto State’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

Currence is the first Gamecock signee to win the honor since defensive lineman Zacch Pickens in the 2019 class.

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Currence, who plays quarterback and defensive back at the high school level, has led his South Pointe squad to dominate the state of South Carolina this season. In fact, heading into the championship game on Saturday, South Pointe is 13-1. That lone loss came to fellow nationally ranked program William Amos Hough, a school based in North Carolina. Among the wins was 5A cross-town rival Northwestern, a team that will also play for a ring this weekend.

Naturally, as the team’s quarterback and top defender, Currence has played a huge role in that team success.

On the season, he has accounted for over 4200 yards of offense, per MaxPreps’ statistical database. He has been responsible for 42 total touchdowns, as well. That averages out to about 300 yards and three touchdowns per contest.

Though he has played primarily quarterback and safety, Currence also has experience playing wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker for South Pointe, too. His time in the secondary has included reps in zone coverage and man coverage, both in the slot and outside. South Carolina defensive backs coach Torrian Gray moves his safeties around a lot, something that should be familiar to Currence.

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Also on the South Pointe roster are class of 2026 Gamecock signee Anthony Baxter—a three-star offensive lineman—and class of 2027 target Seth Tillman—a four-star defensive lineman. Jadeveon Clowney, Stephon Gilmore, and DeVonte Holloman, three all-time greats at South Carolina, also hailed from South Pointe.

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