Landon Duckworth Commits to South Carolina over Auburn

In a big win for Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks, four-star quarterback Landon Duckworth has officially announced his commitment to South Carolina. The 6’3, 180-pound dual-threat from Jackson High School in Jackson, Alabama chose the Gamecocks over Auburn and a host of national powers, giving South Carolina a major boost to its 2026 recruiting class.

Duckworth’s recruitment has been one of the more dramatic storylines in this cycle. He originally committed to South Carolina early, only to decommit last summer and reopen his recruitment. Auburn quickly became a serious contender, but in the end, Duckworth circled back to the Gamecocks—showing just how much staying power South Carolina’s staff had in his recruitment.

A major factor in his decision was the relationship built with offensive coordinator Mike Shula, whose experience working with quarterbacks at both the college and NFL level helped reestablish South Carolina as the right fit. Duckworth also credited Shane Beamer and his staff for always making him feel at home in Columbia, even during the months he was uncommitted.

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Can 4 ⭐️ QB Landon Duckworth help South Carolina win an SEC title??? #football #quarterback #secfootball
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On the field, Duckworth brings elite production and athleticism. As a junior, he threw for 3,109 yards and 34 touchdowns, while adding 631 rushing yards and 12 more scores across 14 games. At 6’3, 180 pounds, he has the size, mobility, and arm talent to thrive in a modern spread offense. Scouts praise his leadership and dynamic playmaking ability, while noting there’s still room to refine his mechanics and ball placement—something he’ll have time to develop at the next level.

The impact of Duckworth’s commitment is massive. South Carolina locks in one of the premier quarterbacks in the 2026 class, beating out not only Auburn but also programs like Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, Oregon, North Carolina, and Arkansas. For Beamer and his staff, it’s another sign that South Carolina is capable of landing elite, nationally recruited talent to build its future around.

As one fan put it after Duckworth’s announcement: “The Duck is back.”