Nation's best pass rusher visiting Columbia to check out South Carolina football program this weekend

South Carolina football pulled in one of the nation's best pass rushers in the 2024 recruiting cycle as Dylan Stewart joined the program during the Early Signing Period. The consensus top-3 EDGE player should be an instant impact guy for the Gamecocks this fall.

Because getting after the quarterback is one of the most important aspects of modern defense, USC is looking to stack other big-time players at the EDGE spot. A major target in the '25 class is elite Thompson High School product Jared Smith.

Smith, who is ranked as the #1 EDGE player in the class by 247Sports, is in "5-star territory" according to 247Sports and ESPN, and he is a top-10 player at the position in every major recruiting ranking.

According to a report from On3's Chad Simmons, the Alabama native will be on campus in Columbia to check out the South Carolina football program this weekend.

Smith holds offers from just about every program in the country that thinks they have a shot to land him. His recruitment is still far from reaching its conclusion, so this visit to the Palmetto State could go a long way in putting the Gamecocks in a position to be part of Smith's decision-making process moving forward.

As a player, the 6'6" freak has almost unlimited athletic potential. He has elite physical tools that show up on film, most notably a quick first step off the snap that pairs nicely with his ridiculous length. Smith's athleticism is also on display when he takes snaps at tight end and when he is on the hardwood as an explosive forward on the basketball team.

Beating out the Georgia Bulldogs and in-state Alabama and Auburn programs will be difficult, but South Carolina football fans hope that this weekend gives Smith something to think about.

You can watch some of his film here.