Big news for college football fans: **Rodney Colton**, a four-star linebacker from Newnan, Georgia, just announced he’s no longer committed to **South Carolina**. This shake-up was shared by On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Colton had been on board with the Gamecocks since April 24. He was one of the top six recruits in **Shane Beamer’s** 2026 class. But now, schools like Georgia, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Florida State might be back in play for this talented player.
So, who is Rodney Colton? Well, he’s not just any player. According to the **On3 Industry Ranking**, which mixes ratings from all major recruiting sites, he’s the **No. 127 overall prospect** and the **No. 9 linebacker** for the 2026 recruiting class. In Georgia, he’s ranked 18th. However, On3 thinks even more highly of him, placing him at **No. 94 overall** and **No. 7 among linebackers**.
Last season, playing for Newnan High, Colton was a standout. He tallied up 51 tackles, got six sacks, and snagged an interception. His team, the Cougars, ended with a respectable 9-3 record, ranking as the No. 89 team in Georgia.
Gamecocks Lose a 2026 Pledge
With Colton stepping back, South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class is down to five names. But don’t worry, three of those are still blue-chip recruits. Leading the pack is **J’Zavien Currence**, a four-star safety from Rock Hill, S.C., who ranks as the **No. 73 overall recruit**.
Currence jumped on board last October during a hot streak of commitments for Beamer and his crew in Columbia.
“I have visited South Carolina over 10 times and Coach **Shane Beamer** is building something special down there,” Currence 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 wasn’t the only one making moves. Less than two weeks before his commitment, **Jamel Howse**, a four-star tight end from Newberry, S.C., also chose the Gamecocks. And don’t forget about **Kennan Britt**, a four-star EDGE from Oxford, Ala., who committed in August.
The class also includes **Peyton Dyer**, a three-star cornerback from Atlanta Duluth, and **Anthony Baxter**, a three-star interior offensive lineman from Rock Hill South Pointe. Last year, South Carolina landed the **No. 19 recruiting class** in the nation, according to the **On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings**.
