Three-star LB from Hammond commits to South Carolina football
South Carolina has added its second in-state commitment of this recruiting cycle.
On Sunday — less than a week after adding a three-star offensive lineman from Ridge View — the Gamecocks landed a pledge from Hammond linebacker Jackson Ross, a three-star prospect.
Ross becomes the 13th commit in South Carolina’s 2027 recruiting class, but the first linebacker. The three-star linebacker chose the Gamecocks over Vanderbilt and Texas Tech.
According to the 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings, Ross is the No. 51 linebacker in the nation and the No. 13 recruit in the state of South Carolina. Surprisingly, none of the 12 Palmetto State recruits ranked higher than Ross have pledged to South Carolina, though that could change next week when Irmo’s Nate Carson (a four-star OL) makes his decision.
As he contemplated his landing spot, Ross was weighing the pros and cons of staying close to home.
“There is some pressure to stay home and there are a lot of benefits to that that would be cool,” Ross told The State in early June. “On the other hand, it would be awesome for me to go make a name for myself somewhere else. … I grew up a Carolina fan, but there are opportunities elsewhere.”
After Hammond sent two prospects — five-star edge Jordan Burch and four-star DT Alex Huntley — to South Carolina in the Class of 2020, Ross becomes just the second Gamecock pledge from Hammond since Shane Beamer took over, joining 2025 TE Mike Tyler.
South Carolina football’s 2027 recruiting class
- 3-star quarterback Jerry Meyer III — committed on April 3
- Offensive lineman Will Endicott — committed on April 27
- 4-star defensive lineman John Archer — committed on April 29
- 3-star wide receiver DJ Huggins — committed on April 30
- 3-star tight end Judah Lancaster — committed on May 1
- 3-star offensive lineman Jaxon Elston — committed on May 10
- 4-star wide receiver Javien Robinson — committed on May 12
- 4-star running back Brayden Tyson — committed on May 15
- 3-star offensive lineman Clayton Lee — committed on June 17
- 3-star offensive lineman James Ross — committed on June 23
- 4-star wide receiver Iveon Lewis — committed on June 23
- 4-star cornerback Kelvin Millington — committed on June 25
- 3-star linebacker Jackson Ross — committed on June 28
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Three-star LB from Hammond commits to South Carolina football."
