Clemson is the big favorite to land LB RJ Hudson (6-2 205) of Chesapeake, VA when he makes his announcement around 4:00 PM at his school. Hudson and one of his teammates will be making their commitments public. Hudson made his official visit to Clemson last weekend, and the projections to Clemson began to pop up shortly thereafter. He also made an official visit to Maryland. Hudson had 45 tackles with 13 sacks last season.
South Carolina will close out the summer recruiting calendar with one final weekend of official visits. As of Thursday night, the Gamecocks were scheduled to host four uncommitted prospects: OL Nate Carson of Irmo, SAF Davion Jones and CB Josh Dobson of Cornelius, NC, and DE Marquis Evans of Hoover, AL.
Carson has also taken official visits to Clemson, Georgia, and Colorado. He has a July 3rd commitment date. Jones has also taken official visits to Indiana, Georgia, Auburn, and LSU. He has a commitment date of July 26th. Dobson has also taken official visits to Auburn, Texas A&M, and Michigan. His commitment date is July 14th. And Evans has also visited Tennessee, Miami, Auburn, and Florida. He has not set a commitment date.
Two other Gamecock targets are taking official visits this weekend. SAF Kennedy Green, who has been committed to Mississippi State, will be in Starkville. And OL Stafford Willis will visit Alabama.
CB Kelvin Millington of Bogart, GA, who has had June 25th for his commitment announcement, tells us he will announce at 5:30 that day during the NIKE Opening. He made an OV to USC this month, and that will be his only official visit. He is not taking an official visit this weekend.
Three prospects who made official visits to Clemson, besides Nate Carson, are scheduled for official visits this weekend: LB Roman Igwebuike to Tennessee, DE Elijah Cox to Ole Miss, and DE Segun Alexander to Notre Dame.
One-time Clemson target DE Justin Weeks committed to Georgia Tech on Thursday night.
LB Kaden Henderson of Tampa committed to Texas A&M. Clemson offered and recruited him, but never made it into his favorites.
LB Tre Geathers of Charlotte, part of the Geathers family of football stars from South Carolina, committed to Florida. Neither USC nor Clemson ever gained much recruiting traction with him.
South Carolina offered 2028 DT Christian McGowan (6-4 270) of Jacksonville. Some of his other offers are Georgia, USF, and Syracuse.
WR Zay Small (5-11 180) of Ridge View committed to Mercer.
Wofford offered Cheraw WR Nick Gordon.
2028 DE Nasir Walker of AC Flora was offered by Kansas State.
2029 WR Corey Miller of Dutch Fork was offered by Alabama.
Baseball News:
RHP Braden Richardson (6-1 195) of Fort Mill committed to USC Thursday on his 18th birthday. The Perfect Game analysis: Medium broad-shouldered athletic build with plenty of physical projection remaining. 6.81 runner in the sixty. Primary second baseman on defense, hands work to both sides with good angles. Quick first step with range and accurate throws. Worked in the outfield with one-hand gather to exchange. Higher release on throws with carry to the bases. Right-handed pitcher with abbreviated windup for the the third base side of rubber. High 3/4 slot with slightly closed landing at foot strike. Leg swing finish causing cut to fastball at times. Good ride when inline down the slope at 16-20″ IVB. Curveball with depth and straight change round out the arsenal.
Free agent RHP Kailen Hackmann is bound for Clemson from UMBC per D1 Baseball. The Arlington, VA native was 7-0 with a 3.07 ERA this season. He struck out 47 and walked 23 in 41 innings.
SS Brady Stewart of Overland Park, KS decommitted from the South Carolina 2026 recruiting class.
Former South Carolina signee OF Landry Stamps of Tyler JC, TX committed to the College of Charleston.
The Transfer Portal reported that former South Carolina 1B Will Craddock, who is in the free agent portal, is visiting Columbia this week and is likely to return to the team, and former Gamecock pitcher Riley Goodman could return as well.
Basketball News:
South Carolina officially announced the signing of 6-9 Hugo Lopez of Spain. Head coach Lamont Paris issued this statement: “Hugo brings a physicality and an energy level to our program that is needed to compete in our league. While his offensive game is still developing, he is ahead of the game in terms of how hard he plays and his effort and willingness to do things that matter when it comes to winning games.”