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A longtime South Carolina football commit has been dropped by the program despite his 9-month pledge. Four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. is no longer a part of the Gamecocks’ 2026 recruiting class.
The defender explained what transpired behind the scenes to lead to that decision. He laid all blame on Shane Beamer and his staff.
Colton suggested that the Gamecocks began to doubt his commitment level. They thought he had sights set on other destinations while stringing South Carolina along.
“[Defensive coordinator Clayton] White said I didn’t show I was committed. I show I’m a free agent or something. Like, dang, that’s how you feel? Alright, it might be that time.”
That theory had some backing given recent recruiting activity. Since joining the Gamecocks’ class, Colton’s taken visits to Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Recruiting analyst Tom Loy predicted that the linebacker would ultimately flip to the Vols before signing day.
While the trips could lead one to believe that the recruitment is still wide open, Rodney Colton Jr. insists that’s not the case. He says he’s simply enjoying the process.
“I’ve been committed since my 10th-grade year. That should show you the loyalty I have to the school. I picked up dang near 20 offers this year… I didn’t switch up.
“I was just [taking visits] because there’s people on my team who probably haven’t had the chance to see these colleges. I’m really just taking them with my bros before they go to college and I go to college. Just having fun… We just went to the football games. That should tell you something.”
-Rodney Colton Jr.
Whether right or wrong, many coaching staffs share this outlook. They’d rather a player not commit until 100% sure of that decision. If recruits want to continue taking visits, teams will often hold off on accepting a pledge.
That outlook has become even more prominent in the NIL and transfer portal era. College football now boasts yearly free agency. South Carolina believed Colton was taking advantage of that fact while chasing a better offer. In order to shore up its class, the university was hesitant to hold a spot for a player that might ultimately bail.
Still, the decommitment is a hit to the Gamecocks’ 2026 cycle. With Colton no longer in the boat, South Carolina has just five football commits in its class.