The South Carolina Gamecocks are in the midst of trying to get some positive momentum going on the 2027 recruiting trail. In recent days, head coach Shane Beamer has landed big-time offensive lineman Will Clayton, and he has had his sights set on a 2027 linebacker Jackson Ross.
Late last month, Ross released his final three schools, including South Carolina, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt. Now, he has officially set a decision date as to when he will announce his verbal commitment to play football.
The linebacker out of Columbia, S.C. told Gamecock Central that he would be making his announcement on July 9. The South Carolina target visited Columbia on June 5, and had visits with Texas Tech on June 12 and Vanderbilt on May 29.
After his visit to South Carolina, he told The State newspaper that since he grew up in the Palmetto State in Columbia, he grew up a Gamecock fan. But he added that having the opportunity to play elsewhere might be beneficial, too.
“I think I am going to be announcing where I am headed kind of late June or early July,” Ross said via The State on Monday. “There is some pressure to stay home and there are a lot of benefits to that that would be cool. On the other hand, it would be awesome for me to go make a name for myself somewhere else."
"I grew up a Carolina fan, but there are opportunities elsewhere," Ross added. I am still trying to figure out what is the better option here.”
Ross' interest next to South Carolina is "warm" on his 247Sports page, whereas his other final schools are listed as "cool." However On3 lists Texas Tech with a 38% chance to land the linebacker, with South Carolina getting just 25%.
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The 247Sports Composite lists Ross as the nation's No. 51st linebacker for 2027, and the 13th listed prospect from the state of South Carolina.
Winning the state of South Carolina has to be a huge priority for head coach Shane Beamer each and every recruiting cycle. Earlier this week, Beamer missed out on a huge in-state player, in running back David "Tre" Segarra, who ultimately committed to LSU and new head coach Lane Kiffin.
As things stand right now, the top-rated players out of the state of South Carolina are either uncommitted or committed elsewhere, like Miami, Penn State, Colorado, Clemson, Syracuse or Georgia, among several others. Beamer landing a prospect who plays high school football within minutes of South Carolina's campus seems like a no-brainer. But it's obvious that the Gamecocks have some heavy competition from both Texas Tech and Vanderbilt.
According to MaxPreps, Ross is a versatile athlete, playing on both sides of the football and playing on his high school basketball team, as well. 247Sports lists him as 6-foot-3, 215 pounds.
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