Four-star offensive lineman Nate Carson, one of the Palmetto State’s most coveted prospects, delivered a blow to Clemson’s 2027 recruiting efforts Friday night when he committed to South Carolina, picking the Gamecocks over the Tigers, Georgia, and Colorado.
Carson made his announcement on a live CBS Sports College Football YouTube broadcast, capping off a recruitment that had the attention of every major program in the Southeast. The 247Sports Composite ranks the in-state standout as the No. 184 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 24 offensive lineman, and the No. 6 player in South Carolina.
BREAKING: Four-Star IOL Nate Carson has Committed to South Carolina, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 3, 2026
The 6’6 290 IOL chose the Gamecocks over Georgia, Colorado, and Clemson
“Best in SC stay in SC”https://t.co/7gRGvrdRyK pic.twitter.com/nfBJymUzF4
Clemson and South Carolina went toe-to-toe for Carson’s signature for more than a year, with both programs rolling out the red carpet for the big man on campus. Each school hosted Carson for six visits since 2024, but it was the Gamecocks that got in early, offering him his first Division I scholarship after an unofficial visit last September.
After a dominant junior season where he anchored an offensive line that churned out nearly 400 yards per game, Carson’s stock soared. He helped lead his team to a 12-2 record and a state runner-up finish, and the offers started pouring in from the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Florida, and Missouri before the school year wrapped up.
This spring, Carson trimmed his list and locked in his official visits, starting with Clemson from May 29 to 31. He followed that up with trips to Georgia, Colorado, and finally South Carolina in June, setting the stage for a classic in-state recruiting showdown.
Carson’s pledge marks the third blue-chip commitment for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks in as many days, joining five-star corner Joshua Dobson and four-star safety Davion Jones—both of whom were also high on Clemson’s board.
Clemson’s 2027 offensive line haul remains strong. The Tigers have already locked commitments from Carter Jones, JJ Brown, Luke Starcevic, and Elijah Morrison since the end of May.
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