2026 EDGE Prospect Rodney Dunham Narrows List to Five Schools, Including South Carolina

Live from the recruiting scene, the 2026 class is starting to heat up as top prospects are locking in their official visits for the summer and lining up spring trips. One of the biggest names in the class, Rodney Dunham, has narrowed his list down to five schools, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are on that list.

Joining South Carolina in the mix are Georgia, Tennessee, Duke, and Notre Dame.

Dunham, a four-star recruit, is ranked as the 33rd-best player in the nation, the fourth-best EDGE in the class, and the third-best player from the state of North Carolina, according to composite rankings. What’s worth noting here is that the Gamecocks were the first Power Five program to offer him back in January of last year.

Previously, Ohio State, Alabama, and Florida State were also in the running for Dunham, but those schools have since been cut from his list. South Carolina, with a strong recent track record of developing EDGE players like Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard, is now in pursuit of adding Dunham to that impressive list.

Looking at the 2026 Gamecocks recruiting class so far, South Carolina has already secured commitments from:

• J’Zavien Currence (S)
• Jamel Howse (TE)
• Keenan Britt (EDGE)
• Peyton Dyer (CB)
• Anthony Baxter (OL)

This class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years, and with Dunham still in the mix, the Gamecocks could be adding a major talent to their defense.

Stay tuned for more updates as recruiting heats up

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Kyle Kennard Discusses How South Carolina Prepared Him for the NFL

The highly anticipated NFL Scouting Combine has officially kicked off, marking the biggest pre-draft event of the offseason. Before taking part in individual drills on the field, players have the opportunity to speak with the media, as was the case with former South Carolina Gamecock Kyle Kennard.

Kennard, who transferred from Georgia Tech to South Carolina as part of the 2024 transfer class, had a standout year in the garnet and black. While his on-field performance has certainly contributed to his rise as a top prospect, Kennard shared with the media just how much the Gamecocks program has helped him off the field.

“They kind of helped me with the seriousness of it,” Kennard explained. “They helped me get my mind orchestrated. They helped me with communications with the media and other things that you need to be ready for at this stage.”

As players like Kennard prepare for the upcoming draft in April, they will go through a series of team and media interviews. The development of their communication skills and professional media training plays a significant role in boosting their draft prospects.

The reigning Nagurski Trophy winner is expected to be picked within the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.