Bear McWhorter Reveals Top Five Schools and Sets Commitment Date, South Carolina Included

Live Report: Bear McWhorter Includes South Carolina Gamecocks in Final Five for 2026 Recruiting Class

In the latest developments for the 2026 recruiting cycle, offensive lineman Bear McWhorter has just revealed his final five schools, and the South Carolina Gamecocks have made the cut.

As the 2025 recruiting class officially wraps up, all eyes are now on 2026, and the Gamecocks are aiming to continue their success from the previous cycle. After securing a solid group of recruits last year, South Carolina is already in the hunt for top-tier talent, and McWhorter, one of their key targets, has added them to his shortlist.

Alongside South Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Clemson, and Alabama are in the running for McWhorter’s commitment. A three-star recruit, McWhorter is ranked as the 437th-best player in the 2026 class, the 38th-best interior offensive lineman, and the 46th-best player in Georgia, according to composite rankings. South Carolina extended an offer to the Georgia native back in March of 2024.

McWhorter has also confirmed that he will announce his commitment on February 28th of this month, so the Gamecocks, along with his other contenders, will be eagerly awaiting his decision.

Currently, South Carolina’s 2026 class already includes five committed players, including Anthony Baxter as an interior offensive lineman.

Here’s a look at South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class so far:

• J’Zavien Currence, Safety
• Jamel Howse, Tight End
• Keenan Britt, Edge
• Peyton Dyer, Cornerback
• Anthony Baxter, Offensive Lineman

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!

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First-Round Projections Have South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders As a Top NFL Draft Pick

The 2025 NFL Draft process is in full swing, and former South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders is now considered a potential first-round pick.

Although Sanders might have flown under the radar this season due to the dominant performances of South Carolina’s EDGE rushers, Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard, he is gaining recognition as the draft approaches. National analysts, including NFL Network’s lead draft expert, Daniel Jeremiah, are starting to take notice of Sanders’ impressive tape.

Jeremiah recently released his updated NFL Mock Draft, where he has Sanders going 31st overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Regarding the potential selection, Jeremiah commented:

“There has not been a lot of buzz for Sanders, but I thought his tape was outstanding. He’s really twitchy and would fit right in with the bevy of talented defensive linemen in Philly.”

T.J. Sanders’ accolades include:

• 2024 Third-Team All-America (College Football Nation)
• 2024 First-Team All-SEC (College Football Nation)
• 2024 Second-Team All-SEC (AP, Phil Steele)
• 2024 SEC Interior Defender of the Year (College Football Nation)
• 2023 Third-Team All-SEC (College Football Network)
• 2023 Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
• 2023 Nutrition Award
• 2023 Rex Enright Defensive Player of the Spring
• 2023 co-South Carolina Spirit Award – Defense