Recently, the South Carolina Gamecocks got the kind of news that turns heads and stabilizes programs. Four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth, the prized passer out of Jackson High School in Alabama, has officially shut down his recruitment, reaffirming his commitment to the Gamecocks for good. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Duckworth isn't just another arm in the Class of 2026. He is the highest-rated quarterback recruit of Shane Beamer's tenure, a statement addition for a program that has been building toward sustained SEC success. Duckworth told On3's Hayes Fawcett on Wednesday night that the recent firing of offensive coordinator Mike Shula won't change his plans.
BREAKING: Four-Star South Carolina QB commit Landon Duckworth has Shut Down his recruitment, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 6, 2025
The 6’3 200 QB from Jackson, AL Committed to the Gamecocks in July
“I feel like this is where I belong.”https://t.co/cgbEjmV5IL pic.twitter.com/yU9puN7DLh
Duckworth has championship DNA. He led Jackson High to a 14-1 record and an Albama 4A state title as a junior, throwing for 3,439 yards and 39 touchdowns while rushing for another 648 yards and 12 scores. His poise and power on the field have made him one of the most dynamic dual-threat QBs in the nation.
His athleticism isn't confined to the gridiron either. Duckworth has won state titles in basketball and gold medals in track and field, showcasing an explosiveness that translates naturally to the quarterback position. He has clocked a 23.18 in the 200-meter dash, cleared 6-0 in the high jump, and stretched 17-8 in the long jump. Those are some freak numbers for a signal-caller.
Duckworth's arrival in Columbia sets up the potential for a seamless quarterback lineage, with LaNorris Sellers establishing the standard and Duckworth positioned as the heir. Like Sellers, a redshirt season could give him the space to refine his game, but if everything clicks early, the future of South Carolina football could be something special to watch.