Progrums

Duckworth’s Definitive Shutout: South Carolina or Bust

Four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth, the highest-rated QB commit of Shane Beamer’s tenure, has officially closed his recruitment roughly a month before early signing day. Originally pledging to South Carolina in August 2023, reopening his recruitment in June 2024, and narrowing his final choices to the Gamecocks and Auburn, Duckworth has now shut the door on any flip. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound dual-threat star from Jackson High in Alabama led his team to a 14-1 record and an AHSAA 4A state title, completing 66.7% of his passes for 3,439 yards, 39 TDs, and 10 INTs while rushing for 648 yards and 12 TDs. Beyond the gridiron, he’s a multi-sport phenom who claimed a basketball state title averaging 10.3 PPG and 5.8 RPG, and earned track medals with a 23.18 200m, a 6-0 high jump, and a 17-8 long jump.

In a move that surely sent recruiters scrambling like toddlers without snacks, Duckworth has signaled “Gamecocks or nothing.” No more whispers of Auburn allure—just Columbia’s finest orange and garnet. If football analysts had action figures for every recruit flip, Duckworth’s would come with a “Lockdown Mode” accessory. Imagine him strutting into the QB room, toolkit in hand—zone reads, quick release, dual-threat prowess—and telling everyone else, “Nice try, but I’ve already RSVP’d to Coach Beamer’s playbook party.” Rumor has it he’s also considering adding “Professional Recruit Shusher” to his resume game. Future opponents, brace yourselves: this is not a drill.