Gamecocks QB target locks in decision date on heels of South Carolina visit

Phil Kornblut
·2 min read
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Class of 2026 quarterback Landon Duckworth of Jackson, Alabama visited South Carolina on Friday for the football program’s annual cookout. Then, on Sunday, he announced he was ready to make his college commitment.

Duckworth (6-3, 187) will reveal his decision Friday with either a video or social media post. He has not decided on a time, but he has determined the school. USC, TCU, Vanderbilt and UCF were his top four.

The visit to USC on Saturday was the second by Duckworth. He also was in for the spring game in April.

“I felt like South Carolina laid out the red carpet for me,” Duckworth said. “I could really tell that I’m their top QB in the Class of 2026. The way they treated me, I just liked it. Went on a little tour and had a view of the campus. It was a good environment. I liked their facilities and the campus. I definitely liked the weight room and the training facility, and the locker room.”

Jody Wright is the area recruiter for Duckworth, but quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains is the one talking the most to the QB recruit as his prospective position coach in a few years.

“We were just talking about how I just need to get better, my work ethic and stuff like that, like working out and watching film,” Duckworth said. “I like Coach Loggains. We stay in contact; we talk every now and then. He likes me. I can tell he wants me with the way he treats me and just the way he talks to me like he’s my friend.”

Duckworth said that in deciding on his school, the biggest factor was how he felt about the men who will be coaching him.

“Just the staff to me,” Duckworth said. “The school is already good, a good football program. This is the staff for me.”

Last season, Jackson passed for 1,985 yards and 20 touchdowns and completed 110 of 183 passes (60%). He also rushed for 355 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jackson — a rising sophomore — added that he has no plans to cut his high school career short to get to college early. He will complete his full career at Jackson before moving on.

If he picks South Carolina, he’ll be the first commitment for either the Gamecocks’ 2025 or 2026 classes.