On3's No. 2 2026 linebacker commits to South Carolina!
Newnan (Ga.) four-star linebacker Rodney Colton, On3’s No. 2 linebacker in the 2026 class, landed an offer from South Carolina on Saturday at the spring game and wasted little time in joining the Gamecocks program.
Colton announced a pledge to South Carolina on Wednesday afternoon.
“It means a lot,” Colton told GamecockCentral of landing an offer from South Carolina. “I’ve been wanting it for a minute, since ninth grade actually, and now that I finally got it I’m happy. Just can’t do nothing but thank God. The coaches ,the love they showed, it was like everyone was happy to see me, the brotherhood they have, and how they attack the field like they’re going to war.”
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Colton, who had early offers from Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, West Virginia, and Florida, among others, was recruited to Carolina by defensive coordinator Clayton White. Colton has previously listed Georgia and Auburn as his Top 2.
“I would fit in the scheme perfectly,” Colton said. “They are adding the nickel package which I played my freshman year so if they need a star/nickel they wouldn’t have to take anyone out, just tell me to cover or go down and come off the edge.”
Despite being from the state of Georgia, Colton has been paying close attention to the Gamecock program for some time.
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“I watched Cam Smith and Jaycee Horn highlights growing up and going into high school,” he said. “Also Debo Williams and Wendell Gregory are killers and I was watching their tapes three days ago studying how they play. Now I watch Dylan Stewart and study his film since I’m playing JACK this year.”
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In addition to being the No. 2 LB, Colton is ranked the No. 34 overall prospect and No. 5 prospect in Georgia by On3.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder is considered the No. 83 overall prospect and No. 8 LB in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average of the four major recruiting media sites.
Colton is the second commitment in South Carolina’s 2026 class, joining Jackson (Ala.) four-star QB Landon Duckworth who pledged last year.
