A look at South Carolina football commitments in the SCHSL playoffs

In the class of 2026, South Carolina football has six players committed from the Palmetto State. As one would expect from high school teams that have SEC football players playing for them, the South Carolina High School League Playoffs have seen all six players (on five teams) competing for state titles. Heading into the fourth round, four of those commits still remain in the SCHSL postseason.

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Four-star safety J’Zavien Currence is the highest-rated in-state talent in the Gamecocks’ class. He also plays quarterback for his South Pointe High School squad and will lead his No. 1-seed Stallions against Westside in the Upper State finals of the 4A playoffs. Currence and South Pointe smacked AC Flora in the third round last Friday night and could advance to the state final to play either Gray Collegiate or South Florence.

Three-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter is Currence’s teammate at South Pointe and is the longest-tenured South Carolina commitment. He pledged his services to USC back in May of 2024.

Four-star wide receiver Sequel Patterson, formerly a class of 2027 athlete before reclassifying, plays for Indian Land High School. The Warriors edged TL Hanna last Friday to advance to the 5A Division-II Upper State finals. Patterson and company will match up with Northwestern for a chance to play for state against the Irmo-Berkeley winner.

Caden Ramsey, a three-star tight end at 1A Cross, won big again last weekend over Johnsonville. His Cross Trojans, the No. 1 overall seed in the 1A playoffs, will face Bamberg-Earhardt in the Lower State finals. The winner will play for state against the winner of Lewisville and Lamar in the Upper State final.

Zyon Guiles, a four-star offensive lineman from Carvers Bay, lost in the third round of the 1A playoffs to Bamberg-Earhardt.

Three-star athlete Triston Lewis and his Greenwood Eagles lost earlier this postseason to Gaffney. Lewis is a future defensive back at South Carolina but played quarterback for Greenwood.

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Other schools like Dutch Fork, Irmo, Northwestern, Summerville, Catawba Ridge, Byrnes, South Pointe, Woodruff, Timberland, and Ridge View have South Carolina targets from multiple recruiting classes on their playoff football teams. Each of those schools made it to at least the second round of the SCHSL postseason.

Class of 2026 four-star EDGE flip target Julian Walker and three-star 2027 defensive lineman Jaden Wuerth play at Dutch Fork. Walker is committed to Michigan but has visited USC a lot more lately. Also around Columbia, Irmo has four-star 2027 prospects Jaiden Bryant (EDGE) and Nate Carson (OL) and 2029 receiver Corey Miller. Ridge View has 2027 four-star wide receiver Khristian Jackson.

In the Upstate, Catawba Ridge cornerback Joshua Dobson is a five-star in the class of 2027. Running back Tre Segarra is a four-star in the 2027 cycle and plays at Byrnes. Northwestern defensive back/linebacker Tamarion Watkins pledged his services to Texas A&M, but the Gamecocks are still interested in the three-star 2026 recruit. Class of 2027 four-star defensive tackle Seth Tilman also plays with Currence and Baxter at South Pointe. Three-star 2027 running back Aiden Gibson plays at Woodruff.

Down in the Lowcountry, Summerville wide receiver Jaiden Kelly-Murray is a three-star prospect in the 2027 class. Four-star 2028 wideout Jordan Gorham plays for Timberland.

Of those teams, Dutch Fork (5A D1), Summerville (5A D1), Northwestern (5A D2), Irmo (5A D2), and South Pointe (4A) are all still alive in the state semifinals in their respective postseasons.

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