LAST NIGHT: South Carolina or Auburn? QB recruit Landon Duckworth moves closer to decision……… view more
LAST NIGHT: South Carolina or Auburn? QB recruit Landon Duckworth moves closer to decision……… view more
Final Two: Gamecocks vs. Tigers
As of Wednesday night (June 12, 2025), Landon Duckworth confirmed he has trimmed his decision to just South Carolina and Auburn. In a conversation with On3’s Hayes Fawcett, he noted he’s nearing the end of his recruitment and will pick one of the two SEC schools .
Duckworth, a 6’3″, 200‑lb quarterback from Jackson High School (AL), had initially committed to South Carolina in August 2023 but decommitted in June 2024. Since then, he’s taken official visits to both finalists: Auburn in late May, and South Carolina just last weekend .
Official Visit Recap
- Auburn: Duckworth visited around May 30, returning again this past weekend. The QB room is reshaping, with Auburn making a strong late push. Fellow QB Deuce Knight has even personally encouraged him with a supportive Instagram story: “Let’s do it lil brudda” .
- South Carolina: At his OV earlier in June, Duckworth was spotted celebrating the iconic Shedeur Sanders-style “watch celly” with head coach Shane Beamer — a fun sign of chemistry . His mother also reportedly felt “at home” in Columbia .
What’s at Stake?
- Gamecocks’ Pitch: They promise immediate playing time. With LaNorris Sellers returning, South Carolina envisions Duckworth taking over right away — a major draw . Plus, Coach Beamer and the staff have maintained strong communication since his decommitment, which the Duckworths appreciate .
- Tigers’ Pitch: Auburn offers a retooled QB room and a strong developmental path, highlighted by persuasive support from current players and a late recruitment surge .
Timeline & Predictions
- Duckworth has officially canceled remaining visits to Ole Miss and Florida State, signaling a focus on his top two.
- Sources expect a final decision to come late July or early August, ideally before the high school season begins .
- While On3’s projection model slightly favors South Carolina, Auburn’s late momentum and internal support (like Knight’s pitch) keep the decision very much up in the air .
Decision Factors
| Factor | South Carolina | Auburn |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate role | Promises starting QB role | Competitive QB room, but clear opportunity |
| Relationship | Strong bond with Beamer, family connection | Deuce Knight’s personal pitch, peer love |
| Fit | Offense geared for his dual-threat style | Auburn tailoring offense around him |
Next Moves
- He’ll wrap up official visits this weekend at one finalist, then head to LA with his mom for an Elite 11 event .
- Expect the commitment announcement between late July and early August to coincide with his high school senior season start.
Bottom Line
Duckworth faces a choice between a swift path to playing time under Coach Beamer at South Carolina or joining Auburn’s emerging QB culture with strong insider support. With his decision window closing fast, this is one of the hottest quarterback recruit battles in the SEC and could significantly reshape either program’s 2026 class.
Let me know if you want to dig deeper into Auburn’s QB history, South Carolina’s roster projection, or NIL factors that could tip the scales.
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