The finish line in in sight for the electric four-star quarterback and Gamecock target, Landon Duckworth. The race for his commitment has come down to a two-horse race between South Carolina and Auburn Tigers.
Duckworth told On3's Hayes Fawcett late Wednesday night that his is shutting things downa and nearing a final decision soon. After months of visits, conversations, recruiting momentum, and dropping schools like Ole Miss, it is officially down to Carolina or Auburn.
For a while, it appeared that Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss was the biggest challenge to landing Duckworth, but in his latest update, the official visits to Florida State and Ole Miss were canceled, signaling this battle has come down to two programs. It's garnet & black vs. orange & blue.
Duckworth had previously committed to South Carolina, pledging to Shane Beamer and the Gamecock coaching staff in August 2023. He decided to reopen his recruiting, but South Carolina never let off the gas. The staff has stayed in constant contact, building a strong relationship, and making Columbia feel like home to the young quarterback.
Duckworth took an official visit to campus this past weekend, fresh off an OV to Auburn the week before. It was word around Columbia that things went very well.
The On3 Industry Rankings have Duckworth as the No. 61 overall player nationally, and the No. 6 QB in the country, as well as the No. 4 prospect in the state of Alabama. If the Gamecocks can land this commitment, Duckworth will be the highest-rated quarterback signee at South Carolina since the legendary Stephen Garcia.