Newnan High School 4-star linebacker, Rodney Colton Jr., has announced that he has committed to continue playing football at the University of South Carolina for the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Colton is listed as an athlete on 247Sports, with measurables of standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 220 pounds. The recruiting site has Colton listed as a top 15 linebacker and top 20 player in the state of Georgia.
“I saw the connection we had and my mom loved it up there,” said Colton. “Coach Beamer told me he was excited to have me and couldn’t wait to see me again to chat more.”
The linebacker held offers from schools like UGA, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech but ultimately decided on attending South Carolina for the connections he has made with some of the coaching staff as well as the competition of playing in the SEC.
BREAKING: Elite 2026 LB Rodney Colton has Committed to South Carolina, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’2 220 LB from Newnan, GA chose the Gamecocks over Auburn & Georgia
Is ranked as the No. 2 LB in ‘26 (per On3)
“As soon as I got down there I knew what it was.”… pic.twitter.com/uTnWO7NJyL
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 24, 2024
“I always wanted to play SEC football. I see more competition and it makes you better in my opinion,” Colton added.
Last season for Newnan, Colton played in just two games after dealing with a lingering knee injury for a majority of the games a season ago.
When on the field for the Cougars football program, Colton makes his impact on the defensive side of the ball, making plays all over the field for Newnan.
“We are excited for Rodney and his commitment. He is a guy who will be a three-down linebacker in the SEC,” said Newnan head football coach, Chip Walker. “He has worked extremely hard this offseason to be in the best shape of his life for his junior high school season. South Carolina got themselves a great student athlete.”
While his coaches and teammates know the impact that Colton brings to a football program on the field, Colton himself knows that he is always looking to make a positive impact on the game for his team which he looks to continue in Columbia.
Though he has locked in his commitment, Colton says he is looking to bring in more guys with him to South Carolina to join the Gamecocks.
“A good impact on my coming to USC because of my covering skills at linebacker and I could bump down to the edge. Also I’m going to bring some guys with me!”
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