Former South Carolina football recruiting target reopens recruitment, withdraws Michigan LOI following Sherrone Moore firing

In the wake of the arrest and firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore (you can read more about that situation here), many around college football have expected the Wolverines’ recent 2026 recruiting signing class to suffer some attrition. Those expectations have begun to be met, as some pieces of that class have already pulled away. Most recently, a former South Carolina football target elected to withdraw his signed national letter of intent with the school.

Offensive lineman Bear McWhorter, a player who had a top five of the Gamecocks, Wolverines, Alabama Crimson Tide, Clemson Tigers, and Florida Gators, released a statement on social media regarding his decision. He said, “In light of recent events, I’ve made the very difficult decision to withdraw my NLI. I’m grateful to the staff at UM for everything they’ve done.”

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At this point in time, it is too soon to know what McWhorter might do next. The second National Signing Day will come on February 4th, giving him just under two months to make a final decision.

McWhorter has ties to Columbia, and he visited the Gamecocks several times during his recruitment. New offensive line coach Randy Clements was part of a North Carolina staff that evaluated and offered McWhorter. Clements also likes tough-nosed, gritty linemen, and that’s what type of player the Georgia native is.

At 6-3 and 308 pounds, McWhorter has experience playing tackle at the high school level, though he projects to kick inside in college. He earned Under Armour All-American honors this season.

The Rivals Industry Ranking considers McWhorter to be the country’s No. 609 overall prospect. He’s also No. 58 nationally among interior offensive line prospects. In the talent-rich state of Georgia, he ranks 67th, regardless of position.

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