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2026 Top-100 LB Rodney Colton decommits from South Carolina

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•about 10 hours•

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south carolina gamecocks target rodney colton
Jeremy Johnson/On3

Newnan (Ga.) four-star linebacker Rodney Colton has decommitted from South Carolina, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

He was pledged to the Gamecocks since April 24 and was one of six pledges in Shane Beamer’s 2026 recruiting class to date. The likes of Georgia, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Florida State have previously been in the mix for the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder.

Colton is the No. 127 overall prospect and No. 9 LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 18 player in Georgia.

On3 ranks Colton higher than other recruiting services. He ranks No. 94 overall, No. 7 at the LB position and No. 11 in the Peach State, per the On300.

As a junior for Newnan, Colton racked up 51 total tackles, six sacks and an interception. The Cougars finished with a 9-3 record and ranked as the No. 89 team in Georgia, per the On3 Composite.

Gamecocks lose a 2026 pledge

South Carolina’s 2026 class is now down to five names, three of which are blue-chip recruits. Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe four-star safety J’Zavien Currence remains at the top of the class and is the No. 73 overall recruit.

Currence pledged back in October amidst a wave of recruiting wins for Beamer and his staff in Columbia.

“I have visited South Carolina over 10 times and Coach Shane Beamer is building something special down there,” Currence previously told On3. “The culture at South Carolina is family-oriented and the coaches are great people. Coach Beamer is a great head coach and he has the right people in the right place. They are all real and true to who they are. That coaching staff shows the love and they really make me feel important.”

Currence’s commitment came less than two weeks after Newberry (S.C.) four-star tight end Jamel Howse also made the call in favor of the in-state school. Oxford (Ala.) four-star EDGE Kennan Britt committed in August.

Atlanta Duluth three-star cornerback Peyton Dyer and Rock Hill South Pointe three-star interior offensive lineman Anthony Baxter round out the class. Last cycle, South Carolina signed the No. 19 class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.