South Carolina Football: Gamecock QB commit and target both rise to top-3 national ranking

South Carolina football fans have had their hands full over the past month following the end of the 2024 recruiting class' early signing period and the craziest transfer portal cycle yet. Looking ahead to 2025 is about as much as most of the fanbase can bring themselves to do.

However, some 2026 news has come across the wire that should interest anyone who cares about the garnet and black.

Last weekend, elite quarterback prospect Jared Curtis was on campus in Columbia. The visit is interesting as the Gamecocks already have a commitment at the position in the class. Alabama native Landon Duckworth committed to the South Carolina football program back in August.

With the most recent recruiting update from 247Sports, both players have risen in the quarterback rankings in the '26 class.

Duckworth is now the #3 quarterback in the class of 2026. He is the 49th-rated prospect in the cycle.

Curtis has moved up to the top spot among quarterbacks and top spot overall, replacing Julian Lewis (committed to Southern Cal) who reclassified to become a 2025 graduate.

With so much time still before the class of 2026 even plays their junior seasons of high school football, no 5-star prospects have been crowned yet, but Curtis seems a shoo-in to be one. Duckworth has a shot, as well, especially if he remains a top-3 quarterback prospect.

In the class of 2025, South Carolina football is heavily involved with 4-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery, and after a visit from Shane Beamer and Dowell Loggains this week, the talented quarterback will come down to Columbia this weekend.

By the time any 2026 quarterbacks arrive on campus in Columbia, current Gamecocks Robby Ashford and Davis Beville will be graduated, and LaNorris Sellers will be a 4th-year junior (barring a transfer or NFL Draft declaration). Current freshman Dante Reno will be in his third year of college, as well.