Two Gamecocks make On3's Preseason Freshman All-American team
South Carolina had two five-stars according to the On3 rankings for the 2024 class, so it comes as no surprise that two Gamecocks also made the company’s Preseason True Freshman All-American team.
South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart and offensive tackle Josiah Thompson, the two highest-ranked prospects in the Gamecocks’ class, both made the list, which was released on Monday afternoon.
Stewart, who was at one time ranked On3’s top prospect and finished as the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 3 EDGE in the class, projects to play a lot for South Carolina this season. The Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy standout was a Five-star Plus prospect, meaning he’s a five-star on all four major recruiting media sites.
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Said On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power:
Dylan Stewart may have been the most physically impressive edge prospect in the 2024 cycle and has garnered significant early buzz since enrolling at South Carolina in January. He looked outstanding in the Gamecock spring game and looks to be set to play a key role within their defense as a true freshman. Stewart is advanced physically, has outstanding size and has only continued to improve on that front since getting to Columbia. He is one who’s extremely powerful, athletic and should have no trouble translating his game to the college level. This is a first-off-the-bus type player and one who we feel shouldn’t have much trouble holding up against college offensive linemen.
It’s the second national preseason list that Thompson has been included on after ESPN announced its team over the weekend.
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Thompson finished as the top offensive tackle in the cycle and No. 16 overall prospect in On3’s rankings. The industry as a whole wasn’t quite as high on the 6-foot-7, 300-pound as the On3 Industry Ranking considered him the No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 36 overall prospect.
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Thompson is competing for the starting left tackle job and has an excellent shot to earn it.
Said Power of Thompson:
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Josiah Thompson nail down the starting left tackle spot at South Carolina by week one. He was On3’s No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2024 cycle and comes in at a major position of need for the Gamecocks. Thompson reported to campus at around 6-foot-6, 265 pounds and is already up to 295, gaining a bunch of good weight during the offseason. He’s a plus athlete at the position and projects as a high-level pass protector once he gets his feet wet and gets acclimated to the speed of college football. There are very few offensive linemen who are opening-day starters, particularly within the power four, as true freshmen. Josiah Thompson looks to be one of the rare cases, given his talent and just the position of need at South Carolina. All factors are pointing towards him being the Gamecocks left tackle of the future.
Stewart, Thompson, and the Gamecocks are now 12 days away from their season opener against Old Dominion, which is set for 4:15 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium on Aug. 31.
