South Carolina is all of a sudden in need of another offensive tackle for 2026. With Josiah Thompson out for the season, and Jacarrius Peak on the mend until sometime in September, head coach Shane Beamer and offensive line coach Randy Clements found themselves short at the position. But they have moved quickly to possibly solve the problem.
Last month, Clements offered Midland Valley product Ashton Mozone (6-5 305), who spent the last two seasons at Iowa Western JC, just across the Missouri River from Omaha. Mozone and his parents arrived in Columbia Thursday morning for an official visit, and he will wrap up things on Friday with a meeting with Beamer and a photo shoot, among other activities.
“I experienced a lot today,” Mozone said Thursday night. “The coaching staff was telling me how they are going to develop me and what the plan is for me. Great hospitality. We ate good, of course. They’ve been taking good care of me since I got here.”
Mozone said his physical style of play is what attracted Clements to him.
“They like how I finish blocks and don’t give up on plays,” Mozone said. “Physical guy at tackle, though I can plan guard too.”
Mozone watched as Clements put his players through drills. He also got some one on one time with him to learn more about him as a coach and person.
“Great guy. He definitely is a good coach,” Mozone said. “He knows what he’s doing. When I went today to look at the tape, they gave me a good understanding of how to keep my hands inside and keep my elbows tight.”
No doubt in the meeting with Beamer on Friday, the conversation will reach the point where a commitment is discussed. Will Mozone be ready to move forward with a pledge?
“For right now, yeah,” Mozone said. “That’s what I’m thinking right now. If not Friday, definitely the next week. I’ve got to talk to my family, that’s all, and really sit down and think about it, if this is the move I want to make.”
Mozone was at one point committed to Washington State. He made an official visit to Middle Tennessee State last week, and he is scheduled for an official visit to Sacramento State on March 11th.
Mozone also has offers from Kent State, Liberty, Texas State, Georgia State, Western Michigan, FIU, Boise State, Hawaii, Western Kentucky, Old Dominion, East Carolina and Louisiana-Monroe.