South Carolina Football: Nation's top athlete names Gamecocks among favorite schools

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his Gamecock staff are bringing in a top-20 class (top-12 by average player rating) in the class of 2024, and the talent on the USC roster is increasing.

In order to continue that trend, the Gamecocks must "stack classes" and bring in more big-time recruiting classes like they did in the 2023 and '24 cycles.

So far in the class of 2025, South Carolina football has one commitment. Speedy wide receiver Jayden Sellers, younger brother of projected Gamecock starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers, pledged his services to the garnet and black this October. The Gamecocks are in the game with a long list of other big names in the class that they hope will be joining Sellers in Columbia in the future.

One of those prospects is 4-star recruit Jordan Young. The nation's top-ranked athlete according to On3, Young is ranked inside the top-40 players in the country by On3, 247Sports, and ESPN. The Monroe, North Carolina native is rated as a safety by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals, so his future likely will be in the defensive backfield.

On Thursday, Young released his first list of top schools.

Jordan Young's top-13 schools include South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama, Notre Dame, North Carolina, NC State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, LSU, Florida State, Southern Cal, and Miami.

Holding offers from just about every major program in the nation, Young has almost limitless potential. Playing almost every skill position on the field for Monroe High, Young has displayed some elite athletic traits, most notably his speed and smooth body control.

Young doesn't get targeted much in the passing game either at corner or safety, indicating just how good he is in coverage. He doesn't play as much offense as he does defense, but he is a big-time home run threat with the ball in his hands.

Hailing from the Charlotte metro area, Young is closer to the University of South Carolina than any of his other listed favorites, but it is unclear if that is a major factor in his recruitment or not.

You can watch some of his film here.