South Carolina Football: 4-star DB announces college decision

South Carolina football has one 4-star safety committed in the class of 2024 in in-state talent Kelvin Hunter. 3-star pledge David Bucey also likely will play safety at the collegiate level, but it appears as if the Gamecocks would still like to add one more player at the position in the class.

Last week, 4-star safety target Kaj Sanders announced his commitment to Rutgers, a somewhat surprising move that keeps the talented New Jersey native home. 4-star target Jalewis Solomon will be announcing his commitment at the beginning of August.

On Monday, Malcolm Ziglar, another 4-star target at the position, announced where he would be spending the stage of his football journey.

Ziglar announced a commitment to stay in his home state and play for the North Carolina Tar Heels. The decision to play for Mack Brown and the Heels comes over offers from the rest of his top-8 that included South Carolina, East Carolina, Notre Dame, Clemson, Kentucky, Penn State, and Appalachian State.

The decision for Ziglar to go with UNC is not a surprise, but there was some late momentum for the Gamecocks that put South Carolina football closer to North Carolina than originally anticipated.

When Jalewis Solomon makes his announcement in August, he is expected to be deciding between South Carolina football and Florida State, though Kentucky is a factor, and Texas A&M and Auburn are also listed as finalists.

The Gamecocks clearly have a desire to take two true safeties plus Bucey in the class, so Solomon could be Carolina’s last chance at pulling in a blue chip prospect with that scholarship. 3-star Kaleb Harris has some significant interest in the Gamecocks, as well.

With recent decisions from a slew of 4-star players going against the Gamecocks, South Carolina football fans are getting antsy. However, there is no reason to panic as of now.

The Gamecocks missed out on 4-star receiver Keylen Adams but remain in a good position to nab 4-star Jonathan Paylor at the position.

Running backs coach Montario Hardesty didn’t reel in Braylen Russell, but the Gamecocks are in the top-2 for 4-star Daniel Hill.

4-star EDGE DD Holmes didn’t pick the Gamecocks, either, but 5-star Dylan Stewart is choosing between USC and Ohio State.

There is still time for this class to turn around and finish with the same positive energy that had the Gamecocks in the top-5 of recruiting rankings just a few months ago.