STRecruiting: South Carolina lands one of the most sought after 2028 linebackers in the country in Skyler Alston

The USC football recruiting class for 2028 received a major bump on Sunday afternoon with a commitment from LB Skyler Alston (6-2 220) of Raleigh. Alston is regarded by college recruiters as a top national prospect based off an offer list that also included Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, North Carolina, UCLA, Kentucky, Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee and SMU.

Alston narrowed his decision to USC, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan and UCLA. The Gamecocks won out in large part due to his long standing relationship with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Clayton White. Their relationship was built over several years, during which time Alston made at least eight visits for camps, recruiting events and games.

“Just constant communication, just with everybody, the whole staff,” Alston said earlier this year. “They definitely treat me like a family, definitely doing a great job recruiting. I talk to Coach White every week. Coach (Shane) Beamer every week. I just talk to everybody. Coach T-Money (assistant LB coach Trey Money) every week. So yeah, it definitely feels amazing. They definitely treat me like a priority.”

And well they should. Through ten games this season, Alston has 96 tackles with 17 tackles for loss and four sacks. Alston has been a tackling machine in high school with 123 career tackles, 42 tackles for loss and six sacks. All those recruiters across the country obviously saw a lot to like in Alston’s skill set.

“Definitely my speed and everything I got to offer because I’m definitely a versatile backer,” Alston said. “They see that as well. I can play any position on the field. I can come down to the edge, go deep at rover, nickel, safety, everywhere. I’m kind of like a fly around backer, so I can do everything: cover, blitz. That’s definitely what they like about me.”

Alston is South Carolina’s third commitment for the 2028 recruiting class and the first on the defensive side of the ball.