Three SEC schools make the cut, one school trending for 4-star athlete Sequel Patterson

On June 1, Fort Mill (S.C.) Indian Land four-star athlete Sequel Patterson announced that he was reclassifying up to the 2026 cycle, speeding up his recruitment by an entire year.

The two-way playmaker is keeping his foot on the gas as he works toward a commitment. On Monday, Patterson told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that his top three schools are Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

As a member of the 2026 cycle, Patterson is the No. 220 overall prospect and No. 10 athlete, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He previously ranked as a top-100 recruit in the 2027 cycle.

Patterson does it all at the high school level. Last season as a sophomore for Indian Land, he combined for over 1,200 total yards on offense. He caught 52 passes for 758 yards and seven touchdowns, ran for 441 yards and three TDs and even completed five passes for 160 yards and two scores. He also tallied 23 total tackles, eight pass deflections and a pair of interceptions on defense, per MaxPreps.

South Carolina still trending for Patterson

Head coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks are in the top three for Patterson, and according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the in-state program is the team to beat for the 6-foot, 170-pounder.

On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong logged a pick in favor of South Carolina keeping Patterson home on June 2, just one day after he reclassified up to the 2026 cycle. Patterson has been to Columbia plenty throughout his recruitment and has kept the Gamecocks in high standing for a long time.

“South Carolina makes it feel like home. They recruit the South Carolina guys hard. They get a lot of them, then they go there, produce and have success. The coaches do a great job,” Patterson told On3’s Chad Simmons in April.

To date, South Carolina’s class features eight commits and ranks No. 14 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Beamer and Co. landed four-star twin brothers Aiden and Andrew Harris on June 7. Aiden Harris is the top-ranked member of the class, checking in as the No. 55 overall prospect and No. 3 defensive lineman.

Five of the eight commits in the class are four-stars. Other top pledges include top-100 safety J’Zavien Currence, On3’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman Zyon Guiles and tight end Jamel Howse, the No. 15 TE in the cycle.