In-state target Joshua Dobson remains Top 5 prospect while Jaiden Bryant makes big jump

One of South Carolina’s top in-state targets remains among the Top 5 prospects in the country, while another made another big jump in Monday’s update to the Rivals300.

Fort Mill (S.C.) Catawba Ridge class of 2027 five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson is ranked the No. 3 overall prospect and the top cornerback in the country.

Dobson, who released a Top 12 recently that includes the Gamecocks, is in the running to be the top prospect in the country, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power says.

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“On the defensive side, Joshua Dobson and John Meredith give the 2027 cycle two elite cornerback prospects who have already proven themselves as shutdown defenders,” Power said. “Both are phenomenal athletes with the rare traits that point to a high ceiling at the position. Each has played well this fall. Dobson has the edge in terms of reactive quickness and ability to stay in-phase with shifty wide receivers.”

Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Texas Tech rounded out the top group.

One of the biggest risers in the Palmetto State in Irmo (S.C.) four-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant, a major priority target for Sterling Lucas and the Gamecocks.

Bryant is now ranked the No. 11 overall prospect in the country and the top EDGE prospect by Rivals. He’s also the No. 2 prospect in the state.

“Jaiden Bryant looks to be among the more high-floor prospects in the (EDGE) group with readymade size at around 6-foot-3.5, 245 pounds, plus athleticism and quality production,” Power said. “The Irmo (S.C.) High product disruptive off the edge as a junior.”

The Gamecocks have been an early standout for Bryant, who has 46 tackles and six sacks on the season through eight games, according to MaxPreps.

Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe four-star DL Seth Tillman is the next major recruiting target from the talent-producing powerhouse.

Tillman is considered the No. 101 overall prospect and No. 11 interior defensive lineman in the class, as well as the No. 3 prospect in the Palmetto State.

Irmo (S.C.) four-star offensive tackle Nate Carson rounds out the state of South Carolina prospects in the Rivals300. He’s considered the No. 179 overall prospect and No. 9 offensive tackle in the class. Like the other three, he’s a priority early target for the Gamecocks.

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Expanding beyond the state, there are multiple other South Carolina targets in the latest update, with Coatesville (Penn.) four-star IOL Maxwell Hiller the highest ranked among them. Hiller is the No. 24 overall prospect in the country and No. 3 prospect at his position.

Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County four-star OT Joshua Sam-Epelle (No. 156 OVR, No. 14 OT) is another offensive line target to watch for South Carolina.

Four linebacker recruits the Gamecocks are heavily involved with made the Rivals300 in Lincolnton (N.C.) four-star LB Jalaythan Mayfield (No. 56 OVR, No. 4 LB), Swainsboro (Ga.) four-star LB Ja’Bios Smith (No. 115, No. 6 LB), Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep four-star LB Mikahi Allen (No. 227, No. 14 LB), and Raleigh (N.C.) Milbrook four-star LB Quinton Cypher (No. 259 OVR, No. 17 LB).

South Carolina is also a major factor with Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson four-star EDGE KJ Green (No. 178 OVR, No. 18 EDGE) and Mableton (Ga.) Douglas County four-star S Kennedy Green (No. 246 OVR, No. 25 S). The latter is set to visit the Gamecocks this Saturday for the Alabama game.

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