One of the state’s top offensive linemen in this year’s class, Nate Carson (6-5 270) shrugged off the recruiting advances of Clemson, Georgia, and Colorado and announced a commitment to his hometown team, South Carolina, on Friday night.
Carson made official visits to all four, plus multiple other visits to USC. Tennessee and Texas A&M were two others heavily involved at one point.
At the end of the recruiting day, however, Carson found everything he needed out his back window.
“South Carolina started it off. They were my first offer. They showed love for me from the jump,” Carson said while making his announcement on the 247Sports YouTube channel. “They showed that they wanted me. They showed that they wanted to develop me to get to the next level, and I trust and believe that they can do that.
“I had my mind set on South Carolina, especially after the OV,” Carson continued. “The OV was amazing. I knew I was going to go; it was just waiting until July 3rd. I trust (Shane Beamer) a lot. He’s a great coach on and off the field. I know what I’m getting myself into, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”
The Gamecocks’ new offensive line coach, Randy Clements, made a very positive impression on Carson from their first meeting, and that resonated with Carson throughout the recruiting process.
“I feel like our relationship has grown a lot, honestly,” Carson said earlier this year. “I like him a lot. My parents like him a lot. He’s a very cool guy. He told us his resume, and it’s real good. He means business. He’s going to play the best guys, no favoritism at all. He’s going to see what everybody is capable of doing, and he’s going to play who he thinks are the best people.”
Carson also had a personal reason for going with the Gamecocks.
“Carolina is home. Right down the street,” Carson said. “My cousin goes there, Donovan (Murph). It’s an Irmo thing.”
While all the recruiting was taking place, Carson continued to venture up to Greenville several days a week to work out with his personal trainer.
“He’s training me to be a college athlete, so that’s what we’re doing right now,” he said. When I get on the field my senior year, I want all these coaches to know, oh yeah, he’s ready to go to college. It’s going to be tough going against this guy. I want to improve on everything: speed, physicalness, aggression. I just want to be way better than what I was last year.”
And last year was pretty good as he helped lead a dynamic Irmo team that played for a state championship.
Carson is the 16th commitment for the Gamecocks’ 2027 class, and the third in the last three days. He is the fifth offensive lineman in the class, and the third from the state, all from the metro Columbia area.
The Gamecocks will be looking to add their 17th commitment Saturday night when DE Jayden Broadie makes his commitment announcement around 6:00 PM.
2027 USC Commitments
- Kelvin Millington CB 6-4 185 Bogart, GA
- Josh Dobson CB 6-1 180 Corenelius, NC
- John Archer DT 6-5 300 Fayetteville, NC
- Jackson Ross LB 6-3 215 Hammond
- Will Endicott OC 6-4 280 Prosper, TX
- Jaxon Elston OT 6-5 308 Oxford, AL
- Clayton Lee OT 6-7 290 Callahan, FL
- James Ross OT 6-5 295 Ridge View
- Nate Carson OT 6-5 270 Irmo
- Jerry Meyer III QB 6-0 170 Waxahachie, TX
- Brayden Tyson RB 6-0 215 Snellville, GA
- Davion Jones SAF 6-0 175 Cornelius, NC
- Judah Lancaster TE 6-5 240 Brentwood, TN
- DJ Huggins WR 5-11 165 Kennesaw, GA
- Javien Robinson WR 6-2 196 McKeesport, PA
- Iveon Lewis WR 6-2 180 Richmond
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