The South Carolina Gamecocks are gaining momentum in the recruiting landscape, particularly at quarterback. After securing former five-star QB and Ohio State transfer Air Noland just a week ago, there’s even more excitement surrounding the program.
Tom Loy, a national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, predicts that South Carolina could be the top choice for five-star quarterback Jared Curtis in the 2026 class. This aligns with a similar prediction made by Fisher Brewer of Sports Illustrated, who had speculated months ago, right after Curtis decommitted from Georgia.
Why South Carolina is Positioned Well for Curtis
South Carolina quickly made a strong case to Curtis, offering a mix of enticing NIL opportunities and a clear plan for his development, both on and off the field. They presented a vision of long-term success, where Curtis could thrive as both a player and an individual. This pitch convinced Curtis to reopen his recruitment and explore other options, staying in touch with elite programs like Ohio State, Oregon, Southern Cal, and Alabama. Notably, Oregon has already committed to two four-star quarterbacks in its 2026 class, which could play into South Carolina’s favor.
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The Gamecocks’ Future Quarterback Landscape
If Curtis chooses South Carolina, the quarterback room would become incredibly strong and well-stocked. Here’s how things might unfold:
- LaNorris Sellers, currently the starting QB, is seen as a potential Heisman contender. If he continues to improve and leads the Gamecocks to a playoff appearance, he could declare for the NFL Draft after the 2024 season.
- If Sellers leaves, Air Noland would take over as QB1 in his second year with the program. With Noland’s five-star potential and another year of experience, he could be primed for a breakout season.
- In this scenario, Curtis would compete with Cutter Woods, an under-the-radar prospect, for the QB2 position. Curtis might redshirt during his first year to learn the system, similar to how top programs like Ohio State and Oklahoma have developed quarterbacks.
- If Noland excels in his first year as a starter, he could enter the NFL Draft after the 2025 season, opening the door for a 2026 QB competition between Curtis and Woods.
Alternatively, if Sellers stays for an additional year, Noland would remain as the backup, gaining experience while Curtis redshirts. In this case, South Carolina would still have a competitive quarterback battle in 2026, with Curtis and Woods vying for the starting role after Noland departs.
Building a Long-Term QB Pipeline
Securing Curtis would be a significant step in establishing a reliable quarterback pipeline for South Carolina. Like programs such as Ohio State and Oklahoma, South Carolina could develop a system for seamlessly transitioning quarterbacks from one era to the next.
A commitment from Curtis would strengthen South Carolina’s recruiting efforts and set the stage for long-term success at the quarterback position. With Sellers, Noland, Woods, and potentially Curtis, the Gamecocks would have one of the deepest and most promising quarterback rooms in the nation.
Landing Curtis wouldn’t just mean adding a five-star recruit; it would mark the beginning of a new era, positioning South Carolina to consistently develop top-tier quarterbacks.
read more:https://www.si.com/college/southcarolina/recruiting/are-the-gamecocks-leading-for-no-1-quarterback-jared-curtis-in-2026-01jgb1nb1qa4