Four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. has officially decommitted from South Carolina, confirming the news to The State on Tuesday night. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound prospect from Newnan, Georgia had previously committed to the Gamecocks last April, but recent developments have led him to reconsider his decision. TheBigSpur was the first to report Colton’s decommitment, which has left South Carolina fans wondering about the future of their 2026 recruiting class.
Colton’s change of heart comes after he visited several other powerhouse programs, including Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. His unofficial visits to these schools raised questions about his commitment to South Carolina, and 247Sports’ recruiting analyst Tom Loy had predicted back in October that Colton would eventually flip to the Volunteers. With the recent decommitment, it seems that Loy’s prediction may be on the verge of coming true.
The loss of Colton is a significant blow to South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting efforts, especially since the Gamecocks were counting on him as a key defensive addition. Colton, known for his athleticism and ability to make plays all over the field, was one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation. His departure leaves a gap in the linebacker position for South Carolina, which now has just five commitments in the 2026 class, none of whom play linebacker.
South Carolina will now have to shift its recruiting focus and find a replacement for Colton, who had been expected to play an important role in the Gamecocks’ defense. With the loss of such a high-profile recruit, head coach Shane Beamer and his staff will need to act quickly to rebuild their linebacker depth. South Carolina remains a competitive program, but this decommitment underscores the ever-changing dynamics of college football recruiting.
As Colton’s recruitment process heats up, all eyes will be on which school he ultimately chooses. With Tennessee emerging as a possible landing spot, South Carolina will have to intensify its efforts to secure future commitments and make up for this loss. The next few months will be crucial for the Gamecocks as they look to maintain momentum in the highly competitive SEC recruiting landscape.
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