By Thomas Grant Jr.
Under head coach Aaron Brand, a pipeline for recruits has fortified between Irmo High School and the University of South Carolina.
It started with safety Nick Emmanwori becoming a first-team All-American for the Gamecocks and getting drafted in the first-round last year by the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Two years ago, wide receiver Donovan Murph moved up a year in classification to sign at South Carolina.
This past Friday, offensive lineman Nate Carson became the latest Yellow Jacket to go through the pipeline. Before friends and family at his St. Matthews home and an online audience watching on CBS Sports, he announced his college commitment.
“For the next 3-4 years, I’ll be going to the University of South Carolina,” said Carson, as he donned the cap while the school theme song “Sandstorm” played at his home.
Carson selected the Gamecocks over in-state rival Clemson, Georgia and Colorado. In the end, he chose the school he found most comfortable from a family atmosphere.
“I already knew I was going to go to South Carolina,” he said. “South Carolina just showed a different love and it was amazing.
“(It was) the culture. I’m right down the street. I’m there all the time and I feel welcomed.”
A 4-star recruit and ranked sixth in the Palmetto State by 247Sports.com, the 6-4, 290-pound Carson fits the bill as a prized in-state grab. Possessing long, rangy arms and versatility, his play has helped the Yellow Jackets win two straight Class 5A Division II Lower State titles.
Carson was the 16th overall commitment and fifth offensive linemen for the University of South Carolina Class of 2027. He was also the third in-state commit, joining offensive guard James Ross of Ridge View and Jackson Ross of Hammond School.
When asked about encouraging more South Carolina players to remain at home, Carson made this simple recruiting pitch.
“The best in Carolina stay in Carolina,” he said.
Carson is the second Irmo player to announce his commitment. Defensive lineman Jaiden Bryant had initially committed to LSU, but changed days later to Miami.
Brand said expect more Yellow Jackets to get heavily recruited in the coming months.
“You go to Irmo, you’d better expect to get looks,” he said. “We pride ourselves and we love Friday nights, but there’s nothing better than watching these kids on TV every Saturday afternoon. We’ve got a long history of that and not necessarily just at Irmo. We did some things up the road too (In North Carolina), but to be able to carry that tradition on down here is really, really impeccable.”
