South Carolina Football: Gamecock commitment, 5-star prospect wins state’s highest honor

In case you haven’t heard, South Carolina football commitment Josiah Thompson is really good at football.

The big offensive tackle from Dillon High School is the country’s most athletic offensive line prospect, and he is a 5-star, top-10 prospect according to On3.

As a player, Thompson is a fierce competitor in the run game, and once he adds some weight in a college strength and nutrition program, he will be even better. As a pass blocker, he has some of the best feet in the ‘24 cycle, and he has the type of athleticism and length to where he could become dominant at protecting quarterbacks at the next level.

Thompson is one of three blue chip offensive line prospects committed to the South Carolina football program in the class of 2024. He joined consensus 4-star tackle Kam Pringle and Rivals 4-star guard Blake Franks in the class when he pledged his services to Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks back in April.

At Saturday’s South Carolina Football North-South All-Star Game, Thompson was revealed as the winner of the 2023 Mr. Football for the state. It is just the second time an offensive lineman has won the honor (Kyle Young, an offensive lineman from Daniel High School who played at Clemson in the 1990s, was the only other). Thompson is the first recipient ever from Dillon High School. He beat out Watson Young (Daniel), Turbo Richard (Northwestern), Avery McFadden (Hillcrest), and Zion Dobson (Hampton County) for the honor.

Thompson is the 2nd Mr. Football in a row to go on to play for the Gamecocks and the 14th Mr. Football to do so in the 33-year history of the award. The Clemson football program has had the 2nd-most former South Carolina Mr. Footballs with 5.

Thompson is scheduled to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the All-American Bowl in the coming weeks.